Alien: Romulus is one of the most successful horror films of 2024 due to its original take on a classic horror film franchise. Through its innovative new storyline that builds the tension and scares that made Foreigner and Aliens so good, along with some stellar performances, Alien: Romulus reinvigorated the Foreigner franchise. This is attested by its positive and current reviews 80% critics score on Rotten tomatoes. However, while its obvious connections to the franchise’s past helped Alien: Romulus became a box office success, the film also featured some more subtle nods to its heritage that audiences may have missed,
Alien: Romulus follows the characters Rain and her brother Andy, an android, who try to escape their planet LV-410 with their friends Tyler, Kay, Bjorn and Navarro. The group attempts to steal cryostasis equipment from an abandoned space station, but is attacked by alien xenomorphs, echoing the events of several previous events. Foreigner films. While details like Ian Holm’s Rook are obvious callbacks, one understated reference shares a connection with one of the series’ most famous lines – “Game over“improvised speech.
Alien: Romulus references Bill Paxton’s iconic “Game Over, Man” alien line
The line can be heard at the beginning of the film
However Alien: Romulus occurs between the events of Foreigner and Aliensthe film contains a playful reference to an iconic quote from the latter. The line “end of the game, man“can be heard on Alien: Romulus near the beginning of the film, when Rain and Andy go to meet their friends on the ship. Bjorn is playing and when he loses, the device says “end of the game, man“, subtly imitating Bill Paxton’s famous quote.
Bill Paxton allegedly improvised the line based on the message he appeared after losing in a video game, making Bjorn’s game fit Alien: Romulus even more appropriate.
The now-iconic line appeared in James Cameron’s 1986 Aliens during a scene where the team’s ship crashes into LV-426, leaving them stranded. As Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley begins to think of a way to escape, Bill Paxton’s Hudson begins to panic, leading to her iconic statement: “Game over, man! Game over!” Even more interesting, Bill Paxton allegedly improvised the phrase based on the message that appeared after losing in a video game, making Bjorn’s game fit Alien: Romulus even more appropriate.
It’s Hard to Notice the Alien: Bill Paxton Easter Egg from Romulus Without Subtitles
The hidden reference is very subtle
The “end of the game, man“The line is quite silent as it is not the focal point of the scene. Like any good Easter egg, it is slightly hidden. Because of the reduced volume of the device Bjorn is using, the line may be difficult to distinguish for viewers no subtitles, meaning many viewers may have missed it.
Despite the subtlety, the homage to Bill Paxton’s iconic line matches Alien: Romulusthe return to the creative aspects of action and horror that were diluted in several previous Foreigner franchise facilities. Plus, listening closely to the famous phrase just gives fans of Alien: Romulusand the Foreigner franchise in general, a good reason to watch the film again.
Source: Rotten tomatoes