As a die-hard “Alien” fan who’s been following this franchise since the original film graced our screens back in 1979, I must say it’s an exhilarating time for us! The upcoming FX TV series, “Alien: Earth,” helmed by the talented Noah Hawley, promises to bring the Xenomorph terror back home.
Contains spoilers for “Alien: Romulus”
1979’s “Alien” is not just an exceptional horror movie; it’s one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. Director Ridley Scott masterfully exploited a basic concept by unleashing a lethal extraterrestrial menace on a spacecraft carrying astronauts, resulting in chaos. The confined environment and chilling creature design by H.R. Giger gave birth to an enduring classic that still sends shivers down spines today. Scott revisited the franchise to develop its lore with “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” but now, control has been passed on to Fede Álvarez. The Uruguayan director is taking the series back to its origins with “Alien: Romulus,” where a compact cast finds themselves in one location, ensnared by the ultimate organism.
Initial responses to “Alien: Romulus” have been exceptionally positive, with audiences appreciating both the building tension and the acting skills showcased by Cailee Spaeny as orphan Rain and David Jonsson as her android brother Andy. The story also contains numerous connections to earlier Alien series installments, a detail that long-term fans will relish as they ponder how “Romulus” fits within the broader narrative of the franchise. Set between the events of “Alien” and “Aliens,” “Romulus” concludes in such a way that it could significantly impact any potential sequels or spinoffs. Curious about what occurs at the end of “Alien: Romulus” and what that strange entity is? We’ve got the answers for you.
What you need to remember about the plot of Alien: Romulus
On a mining colony ruled by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, Rain Carradine feels disenchanted as a young employee, trapped on this barren planet for most of her life. Some companions approach her with an intriguing offer: A derelict space station hovers above them, filled with cryo chambers they can use to escape and start anew on another planet. All they require is Rain’s synthetic brother Andy, who has the ability to access the station’s technology. Intrigued by the prospect of exploring new worlds, the siblings join forces.
After locking the cryogenic chambers, Andy, Tyler (Archie Renaux), and Bjorn (Spike Fearn) find themselves stuck in a room that’s rapidly heating up, causing some of the detained specimens from the old crew to thaw. These creatures are Facehuggers, and it doesn’t take long to understand why they’re more terrifying than mature Xenomorphs. One latches onto Navarro (Aileen Wu), and not much time passes before it bursts through her chest, giving birth to a new Xenomorph on the loose. Bjorn and pregnant Kay (Isabela Merced) try to flee, but they become separated from the rest of the group who converse with a damaged artificial intelligence: Science Officer Rook (Ian Holm, digitally created).
Rook shares details about the earlier team who concocted a dark, gooey substance similar to what was depicted in “Prometheus,” intended to mend injured Weyland-Yutani employees for forced labor. However, this slime had both transformative and frightening aspects. Although Andy received a new chip with instructions prioritizing the interests of Weyland-Yutani, making him somewhat uncooperative at times, he eventually relents, allowing Rain to reset him to his original settings. This happens just in time for an exhilarating, heart-pumping finale.
What happened at the end of Alien: Romulus?
Rain shoots her way through a bunch of Xenomorphs, and, thanks to an assist from Andy, it seems like our heroes are in the clear, with the siblings and Kay getting back on their original vessel to fly to a new colony. There’s just one hiccup — Kay injected herself with some of the black ooze as she was waiting for Rain and Andy to get back. This creates complications with her pregnancy, and she soon gives birth to a pod-like structure. The thing inside hatches quickly, and the survivors soon come face-to-face with a creature known as the Offspring. It looks like a cross between a Xenomorph and an Engineer from “Prometheus,” likely a result of Xenomorph DNA mixing with the human embryo in Kay.
In this scenario, The Offspring slays Kay and gravely injures Andy. Only Rain survives, leading to a nerve-wracking game of hide-and-seek. Fortunately, she still has one trick up her sleeve. She coaxes The Offspring into the cargo bay, which subsequently detaches from the main ship, although the monster is not so easily shaken off. The Offspring attempts to smash Rain’s helmet with its second mouth, but eventually, Rain successfully launches the creature out of the spacecraft, sending it hurtling towards destruction.
In an apparent homage to the ending of 1979’s “Alien,” Rain transmits a message, identifying herself as the sole survivor among her crew. She stores Andy in a cryogenic chamber, expressing her intention to repair him when possible, implying that there might still be a chance for his recovery. The spacecraft embarks on a voyage with the hope that it will lead to a favorable outcome for Rain.
What does the end of Alien: Romulus mean?
In the thrilling finale of “Alien: Romulus,” I (Rain) found myself as one of the last survivors, with Andy barely hanging on. Initially, Andy followed his orders to prioritize my well-being. However, post-upgrade aboard the shuttle, his loyalties shifted towards the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Eventually, I guided him to put both our lives first. It was a poignant moment of sibling dynamics, deliberately crafted by director Fede Álvarez to underscore the complexities of our relationship.
In a chat with Digital Spy, the director delved into how the heart of our film revolves around sibling bonds: “The movie touches on several topics, but a key one is understanding what it truly means to be someone’s sibling,” he shared. “What duties do you owe each other? Do you have any or none?” As siblings themselves, Tyler and Kay embody this bond beautifully, with Tyler going to great lengths to shield Kay throughout the story. Tragically, they both meet a gruesome end. If you’re well-versed in Roman mythology, their fate may not have come as a shock.
The story of Romulus and Remus, symbolically representing distinct parts of the Renaissance spacecraft, recounts the tale of two brothers who disagreed on the location to establish Rome, resulting in Romulus ultimately killing Remus. In a parallel manner, “Alien: Romulus” echoes this conflict as Andy, indifferent to Rain’s fate when he receives a new command, contrasts greatly with his affectionate nature upon reverting to his original programming. The movie underscores that siblings indeed share a duty to care for one another; however, it also highlights the importance of self-preservation.
The Alien: Romulus ending continues a 2024 horror trend
2024 seems to see a surge of horror movies reflecting widespread apprehension towards pregnancy and motherhood. Films such as “Immaculate”, “The First Omen”, and “American Horror Story: Delicate” tap into this anxiety, as does the latest installment in the “Alien” series, “Alien: Romulus”. This trend is not unexpected considering that the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, leaving many women at risk of complications due to stricter abortion laws in several states. These horror movies seem to portray the fear of those women who might be compelled to give birth under an unforgiving system.
In a turn of events, Kay is expecting a child, although the father remains unidentified (referred to as a ‘jerk’). Surprisingly, she appears content with the idea of becoming a mother. However, things take an unexpected turn when she gives birth to the monstrous Spawn, leading to various alterations in her body such as her breasts producing a dark fluid that the Spawn consumes at one instance. The concept of motherhood has been explored extensively in the “Alien” series, but this scenario presents a unique twist.
In the Alien series, Ripley (played by Sigourney Weaver) takes on a nurturing role for Newt (Carrie Henn), while the computer system is named MU/TH/UR, or “Mother”. The movies primarily focus on the reproductive cycle of the Xenomorph, where Facehuggers implant eggs inside human hosts, who are later killed as the Xenomorphs grow and mature. Despite a possible positive spin on mother-child bonding in Aliens, the concept of childbirth in these films is deeply disturbing.
Fede Álvarez wanted a ‘f***ed up’ ending for Alien: Romulus
The Alien series is famous for its gruesome kill scenes, and Alien: Romulus follows suit. Characters like Navarro experience a Xenomorph bursting through her chest, while Bjorn endures having the creature’s corrosive blood splashed on him. As Alien: Romulus progresses, the violence escalates significantly, with director Fede Álvarez aiming to save the most chilling deaths for the climax. In a separate interview with Digital Spy, the filmmaker expressed his desire to create unsettling fatalities and catch viewers off guard by subverting their expectations.
In the gaming world, I’d say it’s like reaching a seemingly final boss level, but then discovering there are hidden challenges waiting for you. You think you’re at the end, ready to celebrate victory, only to find out that the game has another twist. If you’ve watched “Alien: Romulus”, you’ll understand what I mean. The survivors thought they were safe once off the Romulus, but boy, were they wrong. The climax of the movie takes things up a notch, pushing the limits in those last few minutes. When you think it can’t get any more intense, that’s just when it starts to get really messy.
The unsettling sight of the Offspring bending over Kay, apparently draining her life while she hangs limp in its grasp, leaves a lasting impression – one that’s hard to shake off after watching the finale of “Alien: Romulus.” This haunting image has undeniably left an indelible mark on countless viewers, and once seen, it can’t be unseen. In a sense, the Offspring can be viewed as a descendant of the hybrid creature from “Alien: Resurrection,” furthering the chilling legacy of these terrifying alien lifeforms.
Who’s alive and dead by the end of Alien: Romulus?
If you’ve watched previous “Alien” movies or any horror films, it likely didn’t surprise you that many characters in “Alien: Romulus” suffered tragic fates. As mentioned before, Navarro, Bjorn, Tyler, and Kay all meet grisly ends. The synthetic character, Rook, who was tasked with ensuring the mysterious black ooze left the Romulus, didn’t seem to mind his own survival; he only cared about completing his mission. When Rain disabled the autopilot of their ship en route to the Romulus, Rook was powerless and ultimately met destruction alongside the rest of the ship when it crashed into the planet’s ring system.
In the climactic moments of the film, it’s unclear if Andy meets his ultimate end or not. The Offspring seemingly take his life, but Rain places his body in a cryo pod and vows to revive him. Given that he’s a synthetic human, it seems plausible that there might be a way to mend him or even transfer his ‘essence’ into another body, making it seem almost like a secret level pass in a game. However, bringing Andy back for a potential sequel could feel like an unfair advantage. Yet, if the story chooses to focus solely on Rain, a subsequent movie could confirm that he was beyond salvation. The option remains open, leaving us to view Rain as the latest survivor girl in this cherished horror series.
Could there be an Alien: Romulus sequel?
As an ardent enthusiast, I’d put it this way: In the grand tapestry of the “Alien” cinematic universe, a film titled “Romulus” serves as a bridge between the original and the sequel. Set in the year 2142, this interquel unfolds twenty years after the initial Alien encounter and several decades before the events of “Aliens.” Despite Ripley being preserved in cryostasis in the movie, the narrative focuses on an entirely new cast of characters. The climax sees the destruction of the Offspring, while Rain sets off towards another colony. A potential sequel could continue her journey upon reaching her destination, or perhaps a chilling turn of events could derail her planned life, adding another layer of peril to her voyage.
A follow-up to “Alien: Covenant – Romulus” could very well be planned, if the film performs well financially. However, it’s also possible that the series might take a different route altogether. The “Romulus” storyline may simply become a side tale within the broader narrative of this saga, while the next installment explores something new with a fresh set of characters as victims. It’s even plausible that we might see Neill Blomkamp’s long-awaited “Alien” movie now that there’s a renewed buzz around the franchise.
If the movie “Alien: Romulus” maintains its momentum and performs well financially in its initial release, it could lead to a sequel that studio executives would find appealing. Early predictions suggest a strong start, with Variety reporting that the film might gross between $28 million and $38 million during its opening weekend. Some analysts and tracking services even anticipate higher earnings, potentially reaching up to $50 million in the first weekend.
What does Alien: Romulus mean for the Alien TV show?
It’s an exciting time to be an “Alien” fan. In addition to a brand new movie, there’s also an FX TV series in the works from Noah Hawley titled “Alien: Earth.” If you disregard the “Alien vs. Predator” films (which we wouldn’t blame you for), it will be the first entry in the franchise to visit our home planet. Those hoping for nods to the upcoming TV show in “Romulus” will have no doubt been disappointed, as there aren’t any, and it seems that there won’t be any connective tissue between the two, period.
Noah Hawley has affirmed that his “Alien” series will disregard aspects from “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant.” This is a departure from “Alien: Romulus,” which incorporated elements of those more contentious productions, like the mention of a “Prometheus file” and the inclusion of the black goo that Weyland-Yutani finds intriguing. Hawley’s decision isn’t unexpected, as “Alien: Earth” will be set 30 years before the events of the original “Alien.” Given that “Romulus” takes place 20 years after that film’s storyline, the characters we follow in this series wouldn’t have been born yet.
The only potential returning cast member could be Andy — or, at least, a different version of Andy, if his synthetic model was mass produced. Suffice to say, fans probably shouldn’t expect to see “Romulus” references in “Alien: Earth.” They’re separated significantly both on the timeline and in literal lightyears within space. Plus, a description of “Alien: Earth” suggests it’ll focus more on Weyland-Yutani wanting to develop advanced android creations. How exactly do Xenomorphs fit into that? We’ll just have to wait and see.
How have fans reacted to the latest Alien creature?
As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but notice that “Alien: Romulus” seems to draw heavily from its predecessors, even echoing Ripley’s iconic line, “Get away from her, you b****,” which became famous in “Aliens.” However, the third act takes an intriguing turn by introducing a new creature, the Offspring. This unique being appears to be a blend of the Engineer character from “Prometheus” and the Xenomorph. This hybrid makes perfect sense given what we learned in “Prometheus,” where an Engineer consumed black goo, causing its DNA to infect Earth and eventually lead to human evolution. Since humans are the result of Engineers, it’s plausible that Kay giving birth to this creature could have awakened dormant genetic structures within it.
There are many aspects about the Offspring that remain unknown regarding their role in the future of the franchise, but its frightening design successfully terrified viewers. A Reddit discussion on “Alien: Romulus” spoilers features several praises for the monster’s design, with u/Chr1sg93 commenting: “It had a subtle haunting quality that made me uneasy in an unsettling way, which was more impactful than the Newborn from Resurrection, as it was simply ugly and grotesque.” Another Redditor, u/F1-03neptune, expressed a similar sentiment, stating: “The Hybrid design is truly disturbing. It’s so unsettling to look at.”
Regardless of overall opinions about “Alien: Romulus,” its Offspring stands out as a notable feature. Its debut serves as an effective means to distinguish “Romulus” from other franchise installments, and it paves the way for potential future exploration of human/Xenomorph hybrids.
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2024-08-16 02:00