‘Alien: Romulus’ New Xenomorph Feature Pays Perfect Tribute to H.R. Giger

‘Alien: Romulus’ brings the beloved ‘Alien’ franchise back to its horror roots, with Fede Álvarez taking the reins after Ridley Scott’s prequels ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Alien: Covenant’. Álvarez’s direction has successfully revived the tension and iconic elements that made the original films terrifying, particularly the return of the xenomorph and its classic three-stage life cycle. 

While Scott’s prequels focused on expanding the universe, they departed from traditional xenomorph designs, sparking debate among fans. In contrast, ‘Alien: Romulus’ reintroduces the terrifying facehuggers and chestbursters, but with modern updates that feel fresh and frightening.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

One of the film’s standout additions is ‘The Chrysalis,’ a grotesque, acid-sputtering cocoon that marks a new phase in xenomorph biology. Introduced after a facehugger attack, this oozing sack harbors a growing xenomorph, offering a new, plausible stage in the alien’s life cycle. This addition not only fills in gaps left unexplored in previous films but also enhances the evolution process of the xenomorph, making the creature’s rapid growth more logical.

The chrysalis pays perfect homage to the franchise’s origins, echoing H.R. Giger’s nightmarish designs from the 1979 ‘Alien’. Its shocking reveal and disturbing, sexual appearance blend seamlessly with the franchise’s iconic imagery. Álvarez captures the essence of ‘Alien’ while offering his own innovations, making the cocoon a memorable and justified expansion of the lore. 

Image Courtesy: IMDb

By embracing what worked in the original films while adding new elements, ‘Alien: Romulus’ strikes a balance between innovation and nostalgia, making it a worthy addition to the ‘Alien’ universe.

–Farheen Ali