Warning: Spoilers ahead! We’ll be discussing key elements and the conclusion of “Alien: Romulus” (currently in theaters), so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.

For many years, the Xenomorph has ruled as the ultimate horror in the “Alien” universe. But have you encountered the Offspring?

The latest addition to the franchise is director Fede Alvarez’s “Alien: Romulus,” a return to the series’ roots, set two decades after Ridley Scott’s original 1979 “Alien” and 37 years prior to James Cameron’s 1986 follow-up “Aliens.” This film nods to previous entries in the series (and yes, that black goo from “Prometheus” makes a comeback).

In “Romulus,” Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), her android companion Andy (David Jonsson), and several others attempt to flee their hazardous mining colony controlled by Weyland-Yutani – still the most villainous corporation around – in search of a new home. Their plan to steal cryo pods from the derelict space station Renaissance goes awry when they encounter a horde of Facehuggers and a Xenomorph hive. (The station isn’t as deserted as it seems; everyone onboard met a gruesome fate.) A battle for survival erupts, and not everyone makes it out in one piece.

Now, let’s delve into the shocking conclusion, a familiar face reappearing, and the intriguing human/alien hybrid Offspring that’s bound to provoke extensive discussions among “Alien” fans:

What happens at the end of ‘Alien: Romulus’?

Along with facing vicious creatures onboard, the young team discovers that the Renaissance housed a laboratory investigating how alien DNA could potentially enhance humanity. After vanquishing the Offspring (more on him shortly), Rain and David become the last survivors of their group and decide against returning the alien research to Weyland-Yutani. Instead, they embark on a nine-year journey to find a new world. Rain experiences a bittersweet ending reminiscent of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley in the original “Alien,” while David is left requiring substantial repairs.

Are there any ‘Alien’ cameos in ‘Romulus’?

“Romulus” captures the tense atmosphere of the first “Alien” movie and features a familiar face. Ian Holm, who played the android Ash and passed away in 2020, is brought back through animatronics and special effects as Rook, a synthetic version found aboard the abandoned Renaissance, with only his upper half intact.

The group of young explorers manages to activate Rook, but he, like Ash, isn’t on the side of the heroes. His goal is to deliver the alien research to Weyland-Yutani scientists, and he attempts to take control of Rain’s ship. However, she refuses, leading to Rook’s demise when the Renaissance is ultimately destroyed.

What’s the story behind the Offspring?

In “Alien: Resurrection” released in 1997, viewers were introduced to the Newborn, a hybrid creature featuring humanoid traits and marked by a skull-like head. The Offspring in “Romulus” is visually much more striking and comes about under shocking circumstances: When Rain’s pregnant friend Kay (Isabela Merced) is fatally injured, she injects herself with an alien genome in a desperate bid for survival, which ultimately alters her unborn child in a horrifying manner. She quickly goes into labor, giving birth to a gaunt and ominous creature that bears facial resemblances to the ancient Engineers from “Prometheus” and features a disturbingly eerie maw, reminiscent of the Xenomorphs. (Fun fact: The Offspring is portrayed by former Romanian basketball player Robert Bobroczkyi, who stands at 7 feet 7 inches tall.)

This creature ends up killing its mother and gets defeated, but we don’t see its lifeless body; he may potentially return for a sequel. Speaking of sequels.

Does ‘Alien: Romulus’ have a post-credits scene?

While there’s no confirmation yet, there is potential for follow-up stories if Alvarez or another director chooses to explore the period between the initial two “Alien” films. The next film (or perhaps two, if we consider a trilogy) could further develop Rain and David’s narrative, possibly bringing them back to confront the Offspring or encounter new creatures. Another option could involve a movie directly connecting to the events leading into “Aliens” – as there’s a wealth of story possibilities spanning almost forty years that remain untold. Additionally, what “Alien” enthusiast wouldn’t enjoy a film focusing on the various escapades happening at Weyland-Yutani? Surely, there must be some whistleblowers within that organization.

Looking ahead, the franchise is set to introduce “Alien: Earth,” a Hulu prequel series slated for release next year, created by Noah Hawley of “Fargo” fame, which takes place 30 years prior to the original “Alien.”