The Alien franchise has been a consistent staple of the American film industry since the release of Ridley Scott’s original in 1979.  Three sequels were created in the 1980s and 1990s, two Predator crossovers were developed in the 2000s, and two prequels were released in 2010s.  A television series is currently in the works but before it arrives on Hulu, another flick gets its chance its cinemas.  Directed by Uruguayan Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breathe), it’s described as “standalone” feature which takes place between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986).

Alien: Romulus opens on a depressing, sunlight-free mining colony located 67-light years from Earth.  The villainous Weyland-Yutani Corporation use it to exploit a few thousand human workers (they’re quasi-slaves) in pursuit of minerals and profit.  The film’s orphaned central character, Rain (Spaeny), has reached the end of her fuse after completing her 12,000-hour work contract… only for a company buerocrat to extended it by a further 5 years (the good old “we’re short on staff” excuse).

In search of hope and a better life, Rain teams up with a group of young rebels who intend to steal a craft and travel to a decommissioned space station hovering above the planet.  Once there, they can refuel, go into a cryogenic sleep, and set a course for a planet offering freedom and sunshine.  Rain doesn’t see eye-to-eye with everyone on the mission, but she has one person she can confidently confide in – Andy (Jonsson) is a pun-telling, artificial human who has her best interests at heart.

They’re not the most interesting bunch of people which is a weakness of the film.  Did I care whether they lived or died?  Not really.  Anyway, this is an Alien movie above all else so let’s cut to the chase.  When they arrive on the space station, they quickly discover why it is uninhabited.  It was once home to an alien-research facility which killed a bunch of people.  Now that these nasty, face-sucking creatures have fresh meat aboard the ship, they’re keen to repeat the process.

Álvarez is a talented filmmaker but Alien: Romulus gives of a “seen-it-all-before vibe”.  You’ve got annoying humans making dumb decisions, you’ve got lights continually flicking on and off to create tension, and you’ve got ugly, shrieking aliens dripping in acidic goo.  I don’t see what this film offers which hasn’t already been provided in previous movies.  Even the action scenes feel sub-par.  The dingy lighting and chaotic cinematography make it hard to work out what’s going on.

The likeable Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) gives it her best shot in the lead role (she’s the film’s biggest positive) but the screenplay lacks the charisma and originality to make this movie stand out from the pack.