Eric Barba won an Academy Award in 2009 for his visual effects work on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He returns to the Oscar fold in 2025, nominated as the VFX supervisor for Alien: Romulus.
The latest installment in the legendary science fiction franchise is a bit more grounded, grittier, and, dare I say, scarier than its predecessors, requiring Barba and his colleagues to rely heavily on practical effects.
In conversation with Awards Buzz, Barba details the work that went into making the surreal feel frighteningly “reel” for Alien: Romulus. He also reflects on seeing Alien film in theaters as a 12-year-old and the opportunity to hone the craft he loves in the sequel.
Alien: Romulus is streaming on Hulu.
