The highly anticipated sci-fi horror film Alien: Romulus, helmed by director Fede Álvarez, bridges the gap between the iconic films Alien and Aliens. The storyline follows a mismatched group of youthful space settlers as they attempt to flee from their bleak mining colony, known as Jackson’s Star.
In the universe established by the Alien franchise, the narrative centers around Rain Carradine, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny, and her android sibling Andy, played by David Jonsson. Their perilous journey leads them to scavenge necessary supplies from an abandoned Weyland Yutani research facility.
Alongside her ex-boyfriend Tyler (Archie Renaux) and his determined pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced), as well as Kay’s cousins, the group soon finds themselves enveloped in the lurking terror of the Xenomorphs. Audiences have showered the film with praise thanks to its innovative approach, rich character interactions, and edge-of-your-seat suspense that keeps fans enthralled.
If you enjoyed Alien: Romulus, you may find pleasure in exploring additional sci-fi horror gems such as Event Horizon, The Thing, and Annihilation!
6 Sci-Fi Horrors to Explore After the Nail-Biting Adventure of Alien: Romulus
1) Event Horizon (1997)
The sci-fi horror film Event Horizon, set in the year 2047, follows a group of explorers led by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) as they seek to uncover the fate of the vanished ship Event Horizon. The vessel disappeared seven years earlier while testing its gravity drive, which opens a gateway to another dimension.
Audiences are captivated by the film’s tension-filled narrative and unforgettable moments, especially the horrifying unveiling of the ship’s true nature and the disintegration of Weir’s sanity. Much like Alien: Romulus, both films address themes of isolation and the psychological horror inherent in space, highlighting the potential horrors that technology can unleash.
2) Sunshine (2007)
Sunshine, featuring Cillian Murphy, tells the story of a courageous group aboard the spaceship Icarus II on a mission to reignite the dying sun. They encounter cosmic threats and struggle with personal demons. The tension escalates when they receive a distress call from their ill-fated predecessor, Icarus I.
The film left audiences on the edge of their seats with gripping sequences such as intense spacewalks and heartbreaking sacrifices, spotlighting characters like physicist Robert Capa (Murphy) and botanist Corazón (Michelle Yeoh). Viewers appreciated the stunning visuals and deep existential themes, paralleling the survival struggles depicted in Alien: Romulus.
3) The Thing (1982)
The 1982 classic The Thing, directed by John Carpenter, follows a group of American scientists stationed in Antarctica who encounter a shape-shifting alien that begins to mimic their team members, sowing distrust and dread. Kurt Russell plays R.J. MacReady, the resilient copter pilot who finds himself in command during the escalating crisis.
Viewers were gripped by the film’s suspenseful moments, particularly the iconic scene where the true identity of a character is revealed through a violent blood test. Similar to Alien: Romulus, the film explores themes of loneliness and the fear of the unknown as characters face relentless alien threats.
4) Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation (2018) is a mind-bending sci-fi horror that explores “The Shimmer,”a peculiar area where nature has gone awry. It follows Lena (Natalie Portman), a biologist on a mission to discover the fate of her husband, Kane (Oscar Isaac), who vanished during a previous expedition. Accompanied by a team of scientists, including Anya (Gina Rodriguez) and Josie (Tessa Thompson), they confront grotesque transformations and profound fears.
Perhaps the most memorable scenes include a terrifying encounter with a bear and a haunting finale where Lena faces her doppelgänger. The themes of identity and survival in alien environments resonate well with the core elements of Alien: Romulus.
5) Predator (1987)
The 1987 sci-fi horror classic Predator stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Major ‘Dutch’ Schaefer, head of a tough commando team on a covert op in the jungles of Central America. What begins as a straightforward mission quickly turns maddening when they realize they are being hunted by an unseen alien predator, equipped with high-tech weaponry and a penchant for trophy hunting.
Featuring notable performances from Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and Elpidia Carrillo, this film is packed with iconic moments, such as the legendary handshake and Dutch’s memorable one-liners. Fans have praised the tension and the climactic battle between Dutch and the Predator, drawing connections to Alien: Romulus, as both explore survival amid alien threats.
6) Prometheus (2012)
Prometheus follows archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw and Charlie Holloway on an expedition to the moon LV-223 after discovering a star map that hints at extraterrestrial origins, diving deep into the cosmic horror genre as a prequel to the legendary Alien series.
With breathtaking visuals and shocking plot twists, especially the chilling introduction of the Deacon alien, the film has resonated with fans. Setting the groundwork for Alien: Romulus, it continues to unravel the franchise’s gripping lore, seamlessly blending science fiction and horror elements.
7) Pandorum (2009)
Pandorum begins with astronauts Bower (Ben Foster) and Payton (Dennis Quaid), who awaken aboard the eerie spacecraft Elysium with no recollection of their mission. As they navigate through the dark and twisted ship, they encounter terrifying mutated creatures and uncover a deeply unsettling truth:
Earth has faced destruction, and they may be humanity’s last hope. Audiences appreciated the film’s tense atmosphere, particularly Bower’s desperate survival tactics and the shocking twist involving Lieutenant Gallo. Both Alien: Romulus and Pandorum tap into that chilling deep-space horror and existential anxiety, promising viewers yet another thrilling excursion into the unknown.
In the expansive realm of sci-fi horror, these seven films are sure to deliver the spine-tingling excitement that fans of Alien: Romulus seek, ensuring the thrill and dread endure.
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