Behind the Terror: Aileen Wu Talks Practical Effects and Fede Alvarez’s Vision for Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus is a thrilling blend of legacy and new blood.

Fans of the iconic Alien franchise can now rejoice. Alien: Romulus is available to stream on Hulu. It is also offered on Digital. For those who love physical collections, the Blu-ray release is set to arrive on December 3. This new chapter in the beloved sci-fi horror series takes viewers on a terrifying journey back to its roots. It blends suspense, stunning visuals, and compelling performances. Read my movie review here!

Alien: Romulus is directed by the renowned horror filmmaker Fede Alvarez.

It introduces a group of young colonizers. They stumble upon a derelict space station. They find themselves face-to-face with the deadliest lifeform in the universe. With a stellar cast including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, the film has been hailed for its gripping narrative and visceral horror.

I had the privilege of speaking with Aileen Wu, who made her feature film debut in Alien: Romulus. Stepping into such a legendary franchise for her first major project, Wu admitted it was both thrilling and daunting. “You try really hard not to think about what a heavyweight is on your shoulders,” she said. “There was a lot of ‘fake it till you make it’—just get the work done and be professional.”

Wu shared that working with a seasoned cast was an incredibly rewarding experience. Coming from a theater background, where she performed Shakespearean plays, she found her co-stars’ guidance invaluable in navigating the transition to film. “They were so gracious in helping me find my footing and giving me tips and tricks of the trade,” she explained.

When asked about the film’s practical effects and set designs, Wu was effusive.

“The sets were absolutely stunning,” she said. “On my first day, Fede gave us a tour of the different studios, explaining how the pieces of the station were deconstructed across multiple sets. It made the environment feel so real, and that made acting—especially in scenes of terror—much easier.” She also praised the practical effects, noting that the detailed creature designs made them feel like other actors on set.

Speaking of director Fede Alvarez, Wu was full of admiration. “He’s so calm and gives simple, digestible directions,” she said. “He lets you focus on each moment and occasionally brings a philosophical question about your character that really grounds your performance. And he’d let us improv a lot, which was super fun.”

As for what’s scarier, a Xenomorph or a facehugger? Wu didn’t hesitate: “A facehugger. I don’t like little things that move super fast. A Xenomorph, you can perceive it because it’s your size, but a facehugger? There’s just too many of them.”

With its gripping tension and nods to the series’ roots, Alien: Romulus is a must-watch for both die-hard fans and newcomers. Stream it now and prepare to be terrified.

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