There’s a sharp jolt of excitement flying through the social media stratosphere and it’s pointed squarely at one name: Alien: Romulus. After a preview screening, reactions popped up like overly excited popcorn kernels, declaring it the "best movie of the year." That’s either excessive hype or Alien: Romulus is packing something more potent than a space marine’s pulse rifle.

The Escape Podcast went as far as to tweet, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Alien Romulus is by far the best movie of the year. It’s the best in the franchise, and may be my new favorite horror." Quite the thumbs-up considering it’s up against Ridley Scott’s seminal classic.

Then we have a cautious fan who became a convert saying, "Was skeptical going in, but this is easily one of the better films in the franchise. Fede Álvarez doesn’t disappoint." Disappointment being left at the door? That’s more refreshing than a drop of LV-426 morning dew.

Unraveling the Space Horror Genius of Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus hurtles the franchise back to its Ridley Scott roots, slicing a new, mysterious path. The premise? A young group of space colonizers scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, and guess what they bump into? Yep, the most terrifying life form in the universe.

This interstellar horror show is brought to you by an ensemble cast featuring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu. Guided by Fede Alvarez’s directing prowess, known for "Evil Dead" and "Don’t Breathe," the characters were injected with life, then tasked with keeping it through an onslaught of alien terror.

The lives of these characters were distilled onto paper by Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues, leaning on the original characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. As for the production helm, human legend Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, and Walter Hill wield the baton, flanked by executive producers Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon, Brent O’Connor, and Tom Moran.

Whatever the outcome, we’ll find out when Alien: Romulus hatches in theaters on August 16, 2024. In the timestamped words of the famous Bill Paxton character Private Hudson, "Game over, man! Game over!"

Feasting Your Eyes on the Alien: Romulus Trailer

But hey, don’t just take Twitter’s word for it. Check out the trailer and let your own anticipation simmer, or boil over. After all, fear of unknown creatures lurking in the shadows is universally relatable…and terrifyingly entertaining.