The Alien franchise, which began in 1979 and was arguably reinvented in 1986 by James Cameron, has survived underwhelming third and fourth sequels, thin popcorn thrillers merging with the Predator universe, and a confusing, if undoubtedly artistic, prequel series in the Prometheus efforts. What, if anything, does this series still have to offer in 2024?

As it turns out, a straightforward horror thriller may have been just what the doctor ordered. Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Álvarez, reintroduces us to the world of Alien, and this iteration lends its creative and artistic direction to director Ridley Scott’s 1979 film more so than any of its proceeding iterations. In Romulus, we join a ragtag group of space colonists looking to improve their lives by embarking on a mission to an abandoned space station. There, the characters encounter horrific creatures that we know (and love?) from previous entries in the franchise.

Alien: Romulus creates a crew that we, as an audience, genuinely care about. As an audience, we are not simply waiting for these characters to meet a gruesome fate; we find ourselves rooting for them in their ‘Alien’ encounter. Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny, emerges as a likable and sympathetic protagonist who steers the story. David Jonsson’s Andy, with his nuanced performance, becomes the standout character, his mannerisms and tonal shifts adding depth to the film’s narrative.

The practical effects applied to Romulus do a ton of work to create a more grounded, continuous experience when placed alongside the previous 44 years of Alien franchise history. In turn, they create a more scary and visceral environment for our protagonists to (hopefully) survive. Another outstanding element of the film is Benjamin Wallfisch’s score, a throwback that creates an emotional tie to the previous installments. These elements and the film’s design language create a tense, thrilling Alien encounter that meshes well with its predecessors.

However, Romulus is at its worst when leaning upon its predecessors for nostalgic pop. Occasionally, Alien: Romulus puts the previous films front and center, and whether it’s due to the hit-and-miss visual effects or just a deviation from the characters introduced in this film, it does not usually result in Romulus’ strongest moments. Additionally, the newest Alien film runs 15 to 20 minutes too long. While it eventually comes to a satisfying conclusion, getting there with one too many set pieces takes longer than necessary.

But satisfying is the name of the game for Alien: Romulus. For audiences hoping for more of the philosophical mythology of the Prometheus era of the franchise, for the most part, it’s not here. However, what is here is a thrilling, pulse-pounding sci-fi horror-thriller more in tune with the original Alien offerings from the late 70s and mid-80s, and one that should leave scare-seekers quite satisfied.