Breaking Down the Controversial Line in Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus, Fede Álvarez’s love letter to the Alien franchise, hit theaters with a blend of homage and innovation. Set aboard an abandoned Weyland-Yutani station, the film follows a group of young survivors who stumble upon an unimaginable terror. But one particular moment in the film — a line of dialogue — has since stirred debate among fans.

The Line That Sparked a Debate

During a climactic encounter with a xenomorph, the synthetic character Andy, played by David Jonsson, takes down the creature and delivers the iconic line, “Get away from her… you bitch.” This is a direct nod to Sigourney Weaver’s memorable line from Aliens, spoken by Ripley. For some, the callback was a moment of triumph, evoking nostalgia for the franchise’s golden days. However, others found it jarring, questioning the appropriateness of the line and its placement.

A Last-Minute Decision with a Mixed Reception

In a post-release featurette, Álvarez explained that the line wasn’t originally part of the script. While filming, he impulsively decided to have Andy say the now-infamous words, prompting a mixture of cheers and awkward reactions in test screenings. For Álvarez, the positive response from the audience during a test screening convinced him to keep the line in the final cut. But not everyone felt the same.

For some viewers, the inclusion of this line feels out of place, considering it was originally spoken by Ripley in Aliens — a mother defending her adopted daughter. So, why would Andy, a synthetic being, use a gendered insult like "bitch"? Is this an unintentional misstep, or does it hold deeper meaning within the story?

Contextual Clues That Could Make Sense of the Line

Interestingly, earlier in Alien: Romulus, the word “bitch” is already introduced. Bjorn, played by Spike Fearn, is a character with a deep-seated animosity toward synthetics, stemming from past trauma. His constant bullying and use of derogatory terms toward Andy include calling him a “bitch” on more than one occasion. These moments might seem trivial at first, but when revisiting the line in the third act, it’s possible to see a connection.

When Andy encounters a xenomorph threatening his surrogate sister, Rain, the word “bitch” might not be directed at the alien, but rather as a defense mechanism. Having heard the insult from Bjorn, Andy may unconsciously link the alien to his human tormentor. In his mind, the xenomorph is just another bully, and the words spill out in an effort to reclaim some power.

A Stretch or a Clever Callback?

Álvarez has never explicitly confirmed this theory, leaving room for speculation. It’s possible that the inclusion of the line was more of a spontaneous creative choice rather than an intricate character development decision. Whether intentional or not, the connection between Bjorn’s bullying and Andy’s borrowed catchphrase adds an interesting layer to the character’s arc.

Even if the line was merely a nod to Aliens without deeper narrative significance, its placement might be more fitting than initially thought. With the right context, a once jarring moment could be seen as a subtle homage to the larger Alien universe — one that reflects the complicated relationship between the past and the future of this beloved franchise.