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In the dark expanse of space, silence prevails. But in the movie theater, the screams are audible and chilling. This week marks the return of the iconic sci-fi horror franchise “Alien” with the release of Alien: Romulus, introducing a fresh cast of intrepid space explorers who encounter the terrifying aliens known as xenomorphs. If this is your first dive into the series, you might be feeling a bit adrift. Here’s a guide to catch you up on everything you need to know about the “Alien” universe.
What Are Xenomorphs?
Xenomorphs are the epitome of extraterrestrial horror—tall, sinister, and equipped with acidic blood that can corrode through metal. Their life cycle is as gruesome as their appearance. It begins with a queen laying eggs that remain dormant until they detect a potential host. When an egg hatches, a facehugger emerges, clamping onto the host’s face and implanting an embryo. The host then endures intense chest pain as the embryo develops into a chestburster, which ultimately bursts out, killing the host and emerging as a fully-grown xenomorph with a deadly tail. These creatures are not just physically menacing; they are also relentless predators. The most formidable xenomorph is the queen, a towering and fiercely protective figure. Notably, Alien Resurrection introduced a controversial xenomorph-human hybrid, adding another layer of disturbing complexity to the franchise. The real villains of the series, however, are the executives of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. This shadowy corporation is known for its ruthless quest to capture and weaponize the xenomorphs, often at the expense of its own employees. At least the xenomorphs are focused on their own survival.Who Are We Rooting For?
The most iconic hero of the series is Ellen Ripley, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver with unmatched determination and resilience. Throughout four films, Ripley confronts various crews—most of whom meet grim fates—proving herself as the ultimate survivor against the xenomorph threat. In Alien: Romulus, a new crew takes center stage, led by Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny. This team of young explorers embarks on a daring mission to salvage fuel from an abandoned space station. They are unaware of the imminent danger posed by xenomorphs. The film also features new android characters, including Andy, who is designed to be more empathetic but faces the same perilous outcomes as their predecessors. Androids in the “Alien” series, often referred to as “artificial persons,” have had mixed fates. Some, like Ash from the original film, are antagonistic, while others, like Andy, are more benign but still face violent ends.What Are the Other ‘Alien’ Films?
With Romulus, there are now seven official “Alien” films:- Alien (1979) – The original film that introduced Ripley and the xenomorphs.
- Aliens (1986) – Directed by James Cameron, this sequel expanded the franchise’s scope.
- Alien 3 (1992) – Directed by David Fincher, continuing Ripley’s saga.
- Alien Resurrection (1997) – Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, this installment controversially resurrects Ripley as a clone.
- Prometheus (2012) – Explores the origins of the xenomorphs.
- Alien: Covenant (2017) – Continues the story from Prometheus, featuring the android David, who is obsessed with creating the perfect life form, resembling a xenomorph.
Where Does ‘Alien: Romulus’ Fall in the Series Timeline?
Alien: Romulus is set approximately 20 years after the events of the original Alien. techbakarweb.com broke down the series in chronological order:- Prometheus (2093)
- Alien: Covenant (2104)
- Alien (2122)
- Alien: Romulus (circa 2142)
- Aliens (2179)
- Alien 3 (2179)
- Alien Resurrection (2381)
