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Life and Art from FT Weekend
Culture chat: ‘Alien: Romulus’ is all horror, no guts
Aug 23, 2024
Join Cailee Spaeny, the star of 'Alien: Romulus,' who bravely navigates an abandoned spacecraft, along with FT Weekend's senior editor Horatia Harrod and political columnist Stephen Bush. They dive into the latest installment of the iconic sci-fi franchise, debating its connection to the original series and its shortcomings in character development. The conversation also touches on Disney's influence on creative cinema and the importance of quality children’s programming, highlighting the struggle for genuine storytelling in film and music.
23:45
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Quick takeaways
- Alien: Romulus struggles with character depth and emotional impact, failing to resonate as strongly as earlier franchise films did.
- The film's reliance on fan service raises concerns about the creative direction of the Alien franchise and its future storytelling opportunities.
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Film Overview and Themes
The latest addition to the Alien franchise, Alien Romulus, features Kaylee Spaney as a character striving for freedom under a powerful corporation, alongside her robot brother, played by David Johnson. Critics note that while the film retains classic franchise elements like face-huggers and acid blood, it struggles to resonate deeply with audiences, often feeling superficial. Conversations around the film highlight a missed opportunity for richer thematic exploration, such as the narrative of escaping a hard life, which is introduced but quickly abandoned for more common horror tropes. The film leaves viewers contemplating its weaknesses, particularly the heavy reliance on fan service rather than innovative storytelling.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode