Alien: Romulus – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Alien: Romulus

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Xenomorphs, gore, and space terror—classic Alien franchise horror that's absolutely not for kids.

7.1/10

80%

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Alien: Romulus

movie

R, 2024

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Xenomorphs, gore, and space terror—classic Alien franchise horror that's absolutely not for kids.

7.1

80%

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7.1/10

80%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a well-made horror movie that does exactly what it sets out to do: scare the hell out of you with xenomorphs, gore, and claustrophobic space terror. The reviews are strong, the franchise pedigree is there, and if you're a horror fan, you'll probably have a great time.

But let's be crystal clear: this is not remotely appropriate for kids. The R rating is earned through severe violence, body horror, and language. Even the optimistic Common Sense Media age of 15 feels young—most 15-year-olds aren't ready for alien births and brutal deaths in graphic detail.

For older teens (16-17+) who are already into horror and have parental buy-in, sure. For adults who love sci-fi horror, absolutely. But this isn't a family movie night pick unless your family's idea of bonding is collective nightmares.

Age Fit

This is firmly adult entertainment—17+ is the sweet spot, though mature 16-year-olds who are already horror fans might handle it. Common Sense Media's 15+ feels optimistic; the gore and body horror are genuinely disturbing. Definitely not for middle schoolers despite what some brave parents claim.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is a horror film built around visceral fear, graphic violence, and relentless tension. Multiple sources confirm severe violence and gore including alien births, brutal deaths, and body horror. The emotional tone is terror and survival—not exactly modeling kindness or cooperation. The pacing is deliberately stressful. It's designed to disturb, not nurture emotional health.

Imaginative

The Alien franchise remains one of sci-fi horror's most iconic universes, and this entry delivers on that legacy with derelict space stations, xenomorph encounters, and the claustrophobic terror of space colonization gone wrong. The 80% RT critic score and 85% audience score suggest it's a well-crafted addition to the series. The world-building is rich, the creature design legendary, and it invites viewers into a fully-realized nightmare scenario. However, it's not asking you to build or create—it's a passive, curated horror experience.

Safe

Rated R for bloody violent content and language. IMDb parent guide labels violence as 'Severe' and profanity as 'Moderate.' Kids-In-Mind scores it 4.8.7 (violence is an 8/10). Multiple parent reviews mention gory scenes, alien births, brutal deaths, and strong language. Common Sense Media suggests age 15+, though some parents said 12+ with supervision. This is absolutely not safe for unexpected viewing by kids—it's designed to shock and disturb.

Enriching

As a piece of sci-fi horror cinema, it's competently made (80% critics, 7.1 IMDb, 3.6 Letterboxd) and continues a storied franchise. It can spark conversations about survival, isolation, corporate exploitation in space colonization, and the ethics of encountering alien life. The craftsmanship is there. But it's primarily entertainment through fear—jump scares, gore, and adrenaline. The takeaways are limited compared to more thoughtful sci-fi. Still, for teens and adults who can handle it, there's value in experiencing well-executed genre filmmaking.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Solid addition to the iconic Alien franchise with strong reviews (80% critics, 85% audience)
Genuinely scary and suspenseful for horror fans who can handle intense body horror
High production values and effective creature design that honors the series legacy
Can spark discussions about survival ethics, corporate greed, and humanity's place in a hostile universe

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What to Watch For

Severe graphic violence including alien births, brutal deaths, and body horror that will disturb younger viewers
Strong language throughout (moderate profanity)
Relentlessly tense and frightening—designed to terrify, with jump scares and gore
Common Sense Media says 15+, but honestly most kids that age will still find this intense; 16-17+ is more realistic

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the movie is saying about corporations sending young colonists into dangerous space without proper protection?"
"How would you react if you encountered something completely alien and terrifying? What survival instincts kicked in for the characters?"
"The Alien movies have been scaring people for decades—why do you think horror in space is so effective?"

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