Alien Romulus Director Explains the Monster at the End & Its Meaning

The following article contains spoilers for Alien: Romulus.

Fede Álvarez, the Hollywood director responsible for the newest entry in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has opened up about the surprising conclusion of the horror sci-fi film released just days ago. Just when you think the movie is over, you realize it’s only a fake-out ending and there’s more to come, including a terrifying new creature; it’s a creatively divisive decision that Álvarez has made in his quest to pay homage to every single Alien film.

In an interview with Variety, Álvarez says that the final monster is a tribute to past pivotal events in the franchise. While speaking of the film’s surprising and least expected cameo, he shares some details of why the final monster looked like a humanoid and not a typical xenomorph. The monster is the result of a bloodcurdling scene where Kay gives birth to a cocoon that at first appears to hold a baby inside. But then the “adorable” creature turns into something else: a hybrid of human and alien DNA that could only be described as a mix of the Engineers first seen in Scott’s Prometheus, with a pinch of xenomorph, and the offspring that Ripley gives birth to in Alien: Resurrection.

Álvarez says that his son was the first to point out the resemblance: “He had recently watched with a buddy of his, all of the Alien movies, and when the offspring comes out, he goes, ‘It’s like in Resurrection.’ I hadn’t really processed that that way — but it’s true, it’s this abomination that comes out.” The director says this wasn’t what he pushed for at first: “I was hoping that people picked up the whole Engineer part of it,” referring to the creatures in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.

He adds, “The black goo is the root of the whole thing that was introduced in Prometheus. It’s the root of all life, but also, particularly the xenomorphs come out of that thing, which means it has to be inside them. It’s the xenomorphs’ semen, almost. So we thought, if it affects your DNA, and the Engineers clearly came out of the same root of life, it made complete sense to me that [the offspring of a human and a xenomorph] was going to look like that.” He says:

Alien: Romulus

4/5

Alien: Romulus takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Release Date

August 16, 2024

Writers

Fede Alvarez , Rodo Sayagues , Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett

Studio(s)

Scott Free Productions , 20th Century

Distributor(s)

20th Century

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Alien: Romulus: The Very Definition of a Potent Sequel

Written by Álvarez with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues, Alien: Romulus has already captivated audiences worldwide, who have given it a B+ grade on CinemaScore. The reception by critics has also been great, with an 81% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In box office terms, it moved Deadpool & Wolverine’s position from the top spot and has made more than $100 million worldwide, and that number is set to grow in the coming weeks.

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Alien: Romulus Director’s Chilling 2016 Horror Proves the Series Is in the Right Hands

Director Fede Álvarez has emerged as one of Hollywood’s greatest voices, tackling the Alien series after helming the horror knockout Don’t Breathe.

For an Alien sequel not directed by original auteur Ridley Scott (who participates as producer this time), this result is obviously big. And though it’s no match for the superhero market, it’s a direct message to those who often undermine horror as a secondary film genre. The film’s notable result coincides with another major horror breakthrough that occurred this weekend: horror darling Longlegs crossed the $100 million mark at the box office, the most for an indie film in 2024. Horror is more alive than ever.

Alien: Romulus is a good example of what a sequel should be. A continuation in a sea of continuations should still feel like an authentic standalone film while following some ground rules. Álvarez checks every box and has made a great space horror film: gritty, gory, dramatic, and relentless.