Xenomorphs, Facehuggers, and Beyond: ILM Explains Visual Mastery in ‘Alien: Romulus’

‘Alien: Romulus’ received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its striking visuals, claustrophobic tension, and a strong performance by Cailee Spaeny. Many called it one of the best sequels in the ‘Alien’ franchise, with some even comparing it to the classic ‘Aliens.’

However, some critics felt it lacked depth in character development and ambition, with a few citing the film’s formulaic approach and predictable pacing, there’s also that “best moments” highlight reel that not many fans liked.

Despite some CGI crimes, especially the scene involving the late Ian Holm, which was subsequently fixed for home release, the movie earned visual effects nominations at major awards such as the Hollywood Professional Association Awards, the St. Louis Film Critics Association, and the AACTA Awards. With some accolades still pending, the film remains a strong contender in the industry.

Now Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a famous company that creates special effects for movies, decided to break down the effects used in the movie in an exclusive video for Behind the Magic.

The video showcases the process of creating various famous scenes from the movie, from plain models to laying and color correction.

You can check it out below:

Visual effects artist Ian Hunter also worked on miniatures for the film, such as the Corbelan IV spaceship and the Weyland-Yutani Echo probe. These models were either filmed directly or scanned for CGI. Initially meant to assist with visual effects, the miniatures were later fully built, painted, and completed by Studio Gillis, then filmed with smoke and large screens.

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