Alien: Romulus captures the no-frills essence of Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, Alien, through a chilling and atmospheric lens. Just like the first film, here again we have a heroine trying to survive against an unkillable villain. In this new instalment, the plot centres around Rain (Cailee Spaeny), a young contract worker in a desolate outer-space mining colony. Rain, along with her android companion Andy (David Jonsson), whom she sees as a brother, dreams of escaping their harsh existence. Their opportunity arises when they hear about a deserted space station that might serve as their ticket out. As she, Andy, and her group of friends board the station, the companions find themselves in a deadly struggle against a slew of facehuggers who seem to be everywhere.

Director Fede Alvarez channels the claustrophobic tension and atmospheric dread that defined Scott’s original film. Alien was famously a haunted house movie set in space, with the characters trapped in a single, menacing location. Instead of a ghost or a monster, they battled an extraterrestrial being. Alvarez’s Romulus follows this tried-and-true formula, creating a space station that feels lived-in and menacing, almost like a character in itself. While not quite matching the unrelenting claustrophobia of the original, Alvarez’s setting on the Romulus and its twin station Remus succeeds in evoking a similar sense of dread and confinement, reinforcing how well he grasps the core elements that made Alien a masterpiece.

The film’s horror elements are executed with an atmospheric intensity that pays homage to the franchise’s roots. The terror comes not just from the alien creatures but from the pervasive sense of isolation and vulnerability. Alvarez’s direction ensures that the environment of the space station itself contributes to the horror, immersing viewers in a nightmarish landscape where every corner could harbour a threat. The end of the film pays homage to both Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), through a plot device we had earlier seen in Alien Resurrection (1997), where a cloned Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) was seen giving birth to a human-alien hybrid. Late Ian Holm, who portrayed android Ash in the original film, is given a homage in the form of the android Rook, who looks a lot like him. Daniel Betts voices this version.

The performances of the two leads further elevate the film. David Jonsson delivers a standout performance as Andy, a synthetic character whose dual nature—both sympathetic and unsettling—echoes the complexity of Michael Fassbender’s twin roles in Alien: Covenant. Jonsson’s portrayal keeps audiences guessing about his true intentions, adding a layer of intrigue and tension. Cailee Spaeny, as Rain, carries the mantle of the franchise’s heroic legacy. Her performance balances vulnerability with a gritty determination, establishing her as a worthy successor to Sigourney Weaver’s iconic role in Alien. Cailee’s portrayal brings a fresh, compelling edge to the character, adding depth to the film’s emotional core.

Overall, Alien: Romulus effectively honours the spirit of Ridley Scott’s original classic, combining atmospheric horror with good performances to create a gripping entry into the franchise.

Sandip Ghosh – the ex-head of Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, who has been interrogated, rigorously, by the CBI in connection with the rape and murder of a junior doctor this month – was last year accused of corruption, and trafficking in bodies and biomedical waste.

The allegations were made by Akhtar Ali, who was the Deputy Medical Superintendent at RG Kar and now holds the same post at Murshidabad Medical College.

Mr Ali told NDTV he had filed complaints with the Vigilance Commission and the Anti-Corruption Bureau. He said he had also tried to file a police case but it was refused.

“(One) of my complaints was trafficking of biomedical waste. We all know that used syringes and medical waste like user hand gloves must be disposed as per disinfection norms, but he (Dr Ghosh) used to sell this material to Bangladeshi citizens,” he told NDTV Wednesday night.

“A security officer named Khan was involved in this trafficking…”

READ | Rise Of Sandip Ghosh, And Spotlight Over Doctor Rape-Murder

“Next, illegal selling of bodies. The Forensic Medicine Head had complained… family members (of those whose bodies he allegedly sold) also complained. A national commission summoned him…” Mr Ali said, trailing off, suggesting nothing transpired of the summons.

Mr Ali also accused Dr Ghosh of taking bribes of 20 per cent to award work orders or contracts and also deliberately failed students. “He was like a mafia person…,” Mr Ali had said earlier.

“All these allegations I made… but no action was taken by authorities. Last night I went to a police station but they refused to accept a FIR,” he said, adding he had also filed a criminal case in the Calcutta High Court against Sandip Ghosh. That case may be heard tomorrow, he said.

#WATCH | RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case | On former principal Prof. (Dr.) Sandip Ghosh, Akhtar Ali, Ex-Deputy Superintendent, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, says, ” He is a very corrupt person. He used to fail students, he used to avail 20% commission… pic.twitter.com/QGdUZqyHGW

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2024

Last week, speaking to news agency ANI, Mr Ali also said of his former boss, “He is a very corrupt person… Ghosh used to have a big security detail. He is very powerful.”

Dr Ghosh has been at the centre of the storm over rape and murder of his junior colleague. His resignation days after the body was found – on grounds of moral responsibility as a ‘parent’ – were followed, within hours, by an appointment to head the Calcutta National Medical College.

READ | Principal Quits After Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder, Protests Across India

The appointment was questioned by the High Court, which demanded he go on “long leave”.

READ | “He’s So Powerful…”: Principal Sent On Leave In Rape-Murder Case

“If the principal stepped down owing ‘moral responsibility’, (it is) rather serious that he is rewarded, within 12 hours, with another appointment…” a bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said, “He should be at home… not working elsewhere.”

The court also wondered if the ruling Trinamool was “protecting” Dr Ghosh.

Since then Dr Ghosh has been grilled by the CBI, which has taken over the case on instructions from the High Court. The agency has questioned him for over 60 hours in the past few days.

The Supreme Court also questioned his re=appointment shortly after he quit RG Kar, and also questioned him, and the hospital administration, for the delay in registering a police case after the young doctor’s grievously injured body was discovered early August 9.

READ | Diary Found Near Doctor’s Body Had Gold Medal, Other Big Dreams

Meanwhile, amid allegations the state backed him despite these allegations, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government has ordered a special police team to probe the claims.

He could also face charges for disclosing the identity of the slain doctor.

With input from agencies

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