“Don’t Be Stupid, Just Run”: The New Alien Movie’s Terrifying Debut at Comic-Con

For Hollywood studios, attending Comic-Con to showcase their upcoming releases has become a fierce battle to capture the attention of fans. While this year’s announcement of Robert Downey Jr.’s return to Marvel might have been the most shocking news, the presentation of Alien: Romulus was undoubtedly the most spectacular, original, terrifying, and bloody. The latest installment of the Alien saga left an indelible mark at San Diego’s Comic-Con with a performance that attendees will not soon forget.

Between Gore and Applause

Last weekend, Comic-Con provided the perfect stage for Alien: Romulus to unveil its cards. The film’s presentation in the iconic Hall H was a truly immersive experience that combined animatronics, infected actors, and an atmosphere that faithfully replicated the terror and dread that the Alien series has cultivated over the decades.

The presentation began with the arrival of the cast and creative team, including director and co-writer Fede Álvarez, who were greeted with enthusiasm by over 6,000 attendees. The excitement in the room intensified when animatronics of the iconic “facehuggers” started to invade the space, slithering among the audience and eliciting a wave of screams and surprised reactions. This guerrilla theatre act reached its climax with the appearance of an actor who, in the throes of convulsions and foaming at the mouth, simulated the classic scene of a chestburster emerging from his chest, recreating one of the saga’s most emblematic moments.

During the presentation, Fede Álvarez shared several statements that thrilled fans and hinted at the approach taken for this new installment: Romulus is set between the events of Ridley Scott’s original 1979 film and its 1986 sequel directed by James Cameron, Aliens. Álvarez emphasized that one of his priorities was to introduce fresh faces to this mythology, actors not associated with other characters, who could bring new energy to the saga. This approach is reflected in the cast, which includes young talents like Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Aileen Wu, and Spike Fearn, who had sage advice for the audience on dealing with such encounters: “Don’t be stupid. Just run.”

A New Chapter in Space Horror

Alien: Romulus follows a group of young space colonists who, while exploring an abandoned space station, come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe: the Xenomorphs. You know what’s coming: genetic recombination, chest pains, dimly lit corridor chases, and plenty of dread. According to Álvarez, the story aims to delve into human connections and explore sibling relationships, a theme not previously addressed in the films.

The panel also featured a special appearance by Ridley Scott via a pre-recorded message, demonstrating Scott’s involvement as a producer to ensure that Romulus retains the spirit and essence that made Alien a classic of science fiction and horror cinema.