DirectorFede Álvarezis set to unleash his new take on a classic franchise by way ofAlien: Romulusthis August, but before the film makes its theatrical debut, starIsabela Mercedis teasing thatthe movie will feature some intensely horrific scenes. Taking place 20 years after the events depicted in 1979’sAlien, Merced stars inRomulusalongsideCivil War’sCailee Spaeny as part of a group of colonists scavenging a derelict space station that stumble uponthe most terrifying life form in the universe.
Speaking with Total Film (viaGamesRadar) ahead of the release ofAlien: Romuluson August 15, 2025, Merced teased that anyone who sneaks into the R-rated sci-fi horror movie could be infor a lifetime of nightmaresthanks to some sequences that pull no punches.
“I really do believe that there are specific sequences in this film that will scar some kids that sneak into the movie for life.”
Alien: Romulus
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.
This comes as no surprise as Álvarez’s 2013Evil Deadfeatured some of the most intense and bloody scenes in the long-running franchise, which he followed up with the equally disturbingDon’t Breathein 2016. Forco-star Cailee Spaeny, she says it’s all part and parcel with who Álvarez is as a director, and that audiences should come to expect nothing less from the 46-year-old Uruguayan filmmaker.
“He doesn’t know how to not put that spin on it. That is just his instinct. He’s waiting to do something strange and twisted. And you know he’s got it when you’re right on the edge of going, ‘Should we do this?’ That’s when you know, ‘OK, Fede is in his sweet spot.'”
Alien: Romulus Will Explore a Centuries-Old Myth
While it’s easy to pegAlien: Romulusas just another sci-fi horror movie with a lot of hype around it – heck, Álvarez himself has called it unlike anythingin the history of humanity– the film will look to dive deep into Roman mythology to explore the themes that are at its core. More specifically, the story of Romulus and Remus which takes place before Rome was first founded in 750 BC.
Speaking with the same outlet earlier this year, Álvarez spoke about the myth and its connectionto his new film, which he says is about “siblinghood.” He would also take fans deep intoAlienlore, speaking about the connection the Weyland-Yutani corporation has to Roman mythology.
“It’s based on the Romulus and Remus myth. If people aren’t familiar, it’s the creation myth of Rome. Romulus killed Remus. It’s not a siblinghood that went down the right path. [Alien: Romulus] is a film about siblinghood. A lot of the character stories are related to siblinghood.
“As you may know, Weyland-Yutani, which is the big company in theAlienmovies, has this obsession with Rome and Imperialist iconography. You really have to go deep into the canon, but a lot of the planets, and a lot of names come out of the early Roman Empire, either from rivers or cities.”
Alien: Romulus Director and Stars Tease Plot Details in New BTS Clip
Alien: Romulus’ Fede Álvarez, Cailee Spaeny, and David Jonsson reveal film details in new BTS clip.
Those are some pretty heady themes to explore, but if anyone can pull it off it’s certainly Álvarez, who flawlessly pulled off the themes of addiction and sacrifice inEvil Dead, leading to him being one of the most sought after filmmakers of this generation.
Alien: Romulushits theaters on August 15, 2025, and you can check out the intense trailer below.
