‘That’s Exactly The Point Of This Movie’: Alien: Romulus Director Tells Us The ‘Perverse Exercise’ Of Making Us Love His Characters, So It Hurts When He Kills Them

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As a die-hard fan of the Alien franchise who has spent countless hours debating the finer points of Xenomorph biology and Ripley’s resilience with fellow enthusiasts, I can confidently say that Alien: Romulus is a breath of fresh air in a universe that’s long overdue for some new, terrifying life.

The most recent addition to the “Alien” series is being hailed as one of the best yet. For many viewers, it’s just as good as the initial two “Alien” movies. Our review for “Alien: Romulus” echoes this sentiment. Now that “Alien: Romulus” is accessible on digital platforms, more fans can experience it, but be prepared, your favorite characters may not make it through alive.

In contrast to most viewers, the director of ‘Alien: Romulus,’ Fede Álvarez, might be the one who enjoys it when a beloved character in a movie dies. During our Reelblend podcast interview, he confessed that he develops strong emotional bonds with his characters, much like audiences do. However, instead of making him feel protective, this attachment fuels an unusual urge within him – to eliminate those characters. He elaborated…

As I grow fonder of these characters, I find myself occasionally feeling a strange compulsion to eliminate them, as it forms an essential part of the storyline. It’s almost too satisfying, like discovering ripe fruit within reach. When I realized how effectively I could hurt the audience by offing one of these characters, I was thrilled, remarking, ‘I can’t wait to wreak havoc in the next scene with this character.’ It’s a twisted process, using affection for characters only to annihilate them. Let me clarify: if I didn’t kill any characters, you’d be asking for your money back. So, don’t feign surprise – that’s precisely what this film is all about.

Authors frequently labeled as cold-hearted villains for eliminating characters may actually be deeply attached to their work, despite the emotional turmoil their choices create. It seems as though they intentionally stir audience discomfort, which can lead to intense feelings of sadness or anger. Remarkably, some of the most poignant moments in literary history are characterized by these heart-wrenching character deaths, making them unforgettable parts of those narratives.

In essence, Álvarez argues that the death of a beloved character holds significance only if the audience has developed an emotional connection with that character. Therefore, the greater the desire for a character’s survival among viewers, the more powerful the effect when that character eventually meets their end.

Indeed, this predicament leaves the author in an unusual position, one that director Fede Álvarez labels “twisted.” He acknowledges that he develops feelings for these characters just as deeply as we do. However, this affection poses a challenge for him since it might involve ending their lives to create the poignant climax a story requires.

In most horror films, death is common among characters, which is a characteristic of the genre. However, what sets apart mediocre horror films from excellent ones is not necessarily the manner of a character’s demise or the number of deaths; rather, it lies in whether a character’s death holds significance.

Now that “Alien: Romulus” is accessible on digital mediums, enthusiasts have the opportunity to revisit their beloved characters, provided they’re not deceased yet.

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2024-10-17 22:07