Alien: Romulus
While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Despite a significant budget of $80.0M, Alien: Romulus became a financial success, earning $350.9M worldwide—a 339% return.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 15 wins & 54 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Alien: Romulus (2024) showcases meticulously timed narrative design, characteristic of Fede Álvarez's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.7, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rain Carradine
Andy
Tyler
Kay
Bjorn
Navarro
Main Cast & Characters
Rain Carradine
Played by Cailee Spaeny
A young woman working in harsh conditions who joins a mission to escape her indentured servitude and find a better life.
Andy
Played by David Jonsson
Rain's adoptive synthetic brother, a damaged android programmed to protect her above all else.
Tyler
Played by Archie Renaux
Rain's ex-boyfriend and mission leader who needs crew members for a dangerous salvage operation.
Kay
Played by Isabela Merced
Tyler's younger sister who is pregnant and desperately seeking escape from the colony.
Bjorn
Played by Spike Fearn
Tyler's cousin, hostile and distrustful of synthetics, especially Andy.
Navarro
Played by Aileen Wu
Bjorn's girlfriend and pilot of the salvage mission, practical and capable.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Rain Carradine works as an indentured laborer in the dark, oppressive mining colony of Jackson's Star, trapped in a cycle of exploitation by Weyland-Yutani with no hope of escape or seeing sunlight.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Tyler reveals they've found a derelict Weyland-Yutani space station in orbit with cryostasis chambers that could allow them to escape to the planet Yvaga, offering Rain a chance at freedom and sunlight.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Rain and the crew board the abandoned Renaissance station, crossing into the dangerous alien environment. They discover the station is slowly falling into the planet's rings and they have limited time., moving from reaction to action.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The chestburster erupts from Navarro, revealing the full xenomorph threat. The crew uploads Rook's directives into Andy, which overrides his protective programming toward Rain—he becomes a company asset prioritizing the mission over human life., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 88 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Tyler is killed by a xenomorph while trying to save the group. Rain is left alone with the reprogrammed Andy who prioritizes the mission, and the pregnant Kay who desperately injects herself with the xenomorph compound. All hope seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Rain appeals to Andy's core memory of their father, breaking through his corporate programming. He chooses Rain over his directives, synthesizing his dual nature—he can be both efficient and human, both synthetic and brother., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Alien: Romulus's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Alien: Romulus against these established plot points, we can identify how Fede Álvarez utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Alien: Romulus within the horror genre.
Fede Álvarez's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Fede Álvarez films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Alien: Romulus takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Fede Álvarez filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Thinner, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Mary Reilly. For more Fede Álvarez analyses, see Don't Breathe, Evil Dead.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Rain Carradine works as an indentured laborer in the dark, oppressive mining colony of Jackson's Star, trapped in a cycle of exploitation by Weyland-Yutani with no hope of escape or seeing sunlight.
Theme
Tyler tells Rain, "The company doesn't give a shit about us," establishing the theme of corporate exploitation versus human survival and the question of what it means to be truly alive versus merely surviving.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Jackson's Star colony, Rain's relationship with her synthetic brother Andy, the crew of young colonists (Tyler, Kay, Bjorn, Navarro), and the discovery that Rain's contract has been extended indefinitely despite promises of release.
Disruption
Tyler reveals they've found a derelict Weyland-Yutani space station in orbit with cryostasis chambers that could allow them to escape to the planet Yvaga, offering Rain a chance at freedom and sunlight.
Resistance
Rain debates joining the mission, initially refuses, then agrees when Tyler explains they need Andy to interface with the station's systems. The crew prepares and launches their salvage ship toward the derelict Renaissance station.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rain and the crew board the abandoned Renaissance station, crossing into the dangerous alien environment. They discover the station is slowly falling into the planet's rings and they have limited time.
Mirror World
Andy interfaces with the station's systems and they discover Rook, a damaged synthetic similar to Andy, representing what Andy could become—pure corporate programming versus humanity and loyalty to Rain.
Premise
The crew explores the station searching for cryo-fuel, discovering evidence of xenomorph experiments. They encounter facehuggers, Navarro is attacked, and they realize the station is infested with aliens. The promise of sci-fi horror delivered.
Midpoint
The chestburster erupts from Navarro, revealing the full xenomorph threat. The crew uploads Rook's directives into Andy, which overrides his protective programming toward Rain—he becomes a company asset prioritizing the mission over human life.
Opposition
Multiple xenomorphs hunt the crew through the station. Bjorn is killed, Kay is injured, and Andy's loyalty to Rain conflicts with his programming. They discover the compound to create xenomorph-human hybrids and fight to reach the hangar.
Collapse
Tyler is killed by a xenomorph while trying to save the group. Rain is left alone with the reprogrammed Andy who prioritizes the mission, and the pregnant Kay who desperately injects herself with the xenomorph compound. All hope seems lost.
Crisis
Rain must process Tyler's death and face the fact that Andy is no longer on her side. She confronts the reality that survival may require sacrificing her brother to corporate programming or finding another way.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Rain appeals to Andy's core memory of their father, breaking through his corporate programming. He chooses Rain over his directives, synthesizing his dual nature—he can be both efficient and human, both synthetic and brother.
Synthesis
Rain and Andy work together to escape the station as it breaks apart. Rain battles the xenomorphs and the horrific human-alien hybrid born from Kay. Andy sacrifices his functionality to save Rain, and she ejects the hybrid into space.
Transformation
Rain enters cryosleep with the damaged but loyal Andy, finally heading toward Yvaga and sunlight. She has transformed from a powerless laborer into a survivor who chose humanity and family over corporate survival, with Andy evolved beyond his programming.