Fans are eagerly awaiting the August 16 release of Alien: Romulus, the latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise. Stepping into the harrowing world of the Xenomorph is rising star Cailee Spaeny, who plays a key role in the film. What’s particularly exciting for longtime fans is director Fede Álvarez’s commitment to practical monster effects over CGI – a throwback to the tactile terror of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien.

In that seminal original, viewers first encountered H.R. Giger’s unforgettably grotesque and nightmarish alien designs. Even as a young child just starting to explore the franchise, Spaeny was immediately drawn in and disturbed by what she saw. “I still remember sneaking glimpses of my dad watching Alien in the living room,” she recalls. “The chestburster scene got me so spooked that I had to leave, but I kept wanting to look back.”

Now, Spaeny has full immersion interacting with her own living, breathing aliens on set. “The puppeteers were so skilled at bringing these creatures to life,” she enthuses. “It’s rare to see that level of practical effects nowadays, and I really think it’ll make the scares in this film that much more visceral.” As for reacting to the aliens, Spaeny admits “that instinctual terror is still there every time, no matter how many takes we do.”

By honoring Giger’s iconic visions and committing to tangible creature effects, Alien: Romulus aims to recapture what made its predecessors so frighteningly influential. If Spaeny’s recollections of both her childhood introduction and now working within the franchise are any indication, this installment seems poised to trigger fans’ intrigue and instinctual fears in equal measure. As the August release date approaches, audiences could find themselves as transfixed and terrified as Spaeny remains – desperately wanting both to experience the Xenomorph’s horrors, yet nearly afraid to watch.

Tags: 20th Century Studios Aileen Wu Alien: Romulus Cailee Spaeny Fede Álvarez Horror Isabela Merced Sci-Fi Spike Fearn