If Ridley Scott’s 1979 “Alien” left you feeling anxious, brace yourself for the new “Alien: Romulus.” It features some familiar threats, fresh elements, and a strong focus on the horror aspect.

In “Romulus,” Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) and her android “brother” Andy (David Jonsson) are part of a space mining colony run by the dubious Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Tragically, Rain has lost her parents and many others in this harsh environment, and she yearns for a peaceful life on a distant planet. When her request to leave the facility is denied, she teams up with her ex Tyler (Archie Renaux), his sister Kay (Isabela Merced), and friends Bjorn (Spike Fearn) and Navarro (Aileen Wu) to plan an escape.

The group discovers a decommissioned space station containing cryo pods essential for their years-long journey to a better life. However, their plans hit a snag when they realize there isn’t enough fuel for the trip. While searching for fuel, they encounter an entire colony of Facehuggers, notorious for implanting terrifying creatures that hatch in ferocious ways. (The term “Chestbursters” is quite telling.)

As expected, things escalate, and no “Alien” movie would be complete without a terrifying Xenomorph, forcing the surviving crew to face the sinister threat.

“Romulus” starts with a “Blade Runner” atmosphere before weaving in elements from the franchise’s most memorable moments, including iconic quotes and character types. Its plot may be straightforward, which makes sense for an “Alien” movie—sticking to the winning formula is key. Alvarez significantly raises the stakes in terms of horror, recreating an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of the original film, and cleverly references established “Alien” lore (like the corrosive nature of Xenomorph blood) while incorporating new twists to the mix.

Some characters exist solely to meet grim fates, but Merced portrays an intriguing character (it’s best if you keep the details vague), and Spaeny steps up to fill the iconic role of the tough survivor, though Rain may not match Ripley’s legacy, she carries her own unique bravado.

Jonsson, who impressed in the charming rom-com “Rye Lane,” brings depth to his character, a “synthetic” often ostracized for being artificial, adding layers to the narrative where he grapples with supporting the main characters while facing his own struggles.

With “Romulus,” Alvarez succeeds in revitalizing a classic horror franchise for modern audiences. He adds an exciting chapter to the “Alien” universe, surpassing many of the more recent films, especially the prequels like 2012’s “Prometheus,” which strayed too far from the core theme of avoiding the menacing Xenomorph.

This film serves as a sort of requel, akin to “Halloween,” linking the earlier installments while forging its own direction, while perfectly grasping the essence of what makes an “Alien” film effective: In the silence of space, screams go unheard, but Alvarez knows exactly how to instill dread.