Opinion | Please get familiar with those Aliens before sending them to children

By Darius

Since the release of the sci-fi thriller Alien: Romulus on August 15, the film has been highly praised by moviegoers for its frightening images and tense atmosphere. However, the movie's horror elements have also caused dissatisfaction among some parents, which, in my opinion, is rather hilarious.

According to social media sources, an 8-year-old child who went to see the movie with parents felt sick during the movie, and the child even had to leave the theater in the middle of the movie and go to the hospital for a checkup. The parents then filed a complaint with the theater, demanding a refund and compensation for the medical expenses.

The incident has triggered extensive discussions among netizens, with some arguing that parents should be aware of the content of the movie to avoid taking their children to unsuitable movies, while others believe that the age restriction on movie-going should be tightened to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

For me, it's like... What? Why?

The first Alien movie, as far as I remember, was released in 1979, 45 years ago. And I do believe that with its well-known brand around the world, a large number of people have the understanding that this series, including the Romulus, is definitely a thriller that should not be promoted to children. The bloody scenes, the dark and dusty settings, and those strange and dangerous creatures in the fiction could make any sane person feel scared, let alone those innocent children who can hardly separate this from reality.

If things didn't go as I thought, that those parents know nothing about Alien, they should have noticed the sign on the movie's poster: No recommendation to bring your children. Mr. and Mrs. Parents, when you guys decide to do something with your child around you, you should check if it is suitable for your little ones. The information of the series movie can be seen all over the internet: it's a science fiction horror film.

What's the distance between science, fiction, or horror and your children? At least several years' long to walk, right?

Currently, there is no movie rating system in China, but just because there are no regulations doesn't mean you can do whatever you want, not to mention the fact that this kind of behavior will affect your children in a dangerous way. Do good parents take their kids for a ride? Do they blame the car if any accident happens to their children after this hell of a ride?

Well, I am really glad to see that the vast majority of Chinese netizens are saying that it is the irresponsibility of the parents who have traumatized their children. As parents, people have an obligation to keep their children away from possible dangers; this R-rated movie may be fine for adults, but not for children.

An old saying goes: "Think twice before you act." For parents, I believe, a third one should be done.

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