Alice, Darling - Movie Review

Airs today, Alice Darling is a well-crafted drama-thriller centered around a young woman caught in a psychologically abusive relationship. The movie shows her role of getting involved in an intervention conducted by her two best friends. Featuring Anna Kendrick as Alice, the movie has the right mix of humor and emotion illustrating the transition of the protagonist from a submissive girl to an independent woman.

It looks at issues to do with friendship, emotional abuse, and individual strength. It has a very eerie atmosphere, which is built up from the revelation of the psychological layers of Alice’s life. A sharp twist is used between the depiction of love as a cruel, abusive trait, and friendship, as well as character growth, especially Alice’s arc as portrayed by Anna Kendrick. Kaniehtiio Horn and Wunmi Mosaku, portraying Alice’s friends who support her, bring positive emotions and determination to the story, and demonstrate the need for a friend’s help in some critical situations.

The direction of Mary Nighy is equally successful in providing both dramatic scenes and episodes that hint at the main character’s inner voice. Based on the movie, Nighy does a splendid work of incorporating suspense alongside Alice’s process of emancipation.

Through music, Alice, Darling creates an impressive balance between tension and emotion. It enhances the psychological aspect of the plot and adds to the emotional highs and stress within the storyline.

The visions of depressive reality in which Alice lives, are presented with maximum verity and cinematographic aspects. Popular aspects of cinematography – lighting and framing – underscore the looming threat of Alice’s life while simultaneously emphasizing her fragile glimmers of hope.

Canadian and British locations serve as the wallpapers to Alice, Darling and the SMD’s design does not overcomplicate things by staying simple yet efficient. It depicts Alice’s psychological seclusion and enshrinement and the minutiae help to lend credibility to the film.

Special effects are sparingly used but where used, aid in drawing attention to moments of psychological stress and breakthrough.

The motion picture’s shots are framed with a lot of precision and this greatly contributes to the tension and pacing of the movie. A clear continuity is observed from one scene to the other cultivating the necessary suspense fitting for a drama-thriller.

The action is kept tight; enough time is spent on the build-up of characters and their feelings without making the movie slow. It keeps the suspense on the side of dramatic relief for the audiences to be fully engaged Interest is well maintained.

The dialogue is quite realistic and even reflects elements of conflict in a couple’s relationships. Discussions between Alice and her friends serve as information and jokes, which help to smoothly transition to critical scenes.

Although Alice Darling is a drama centered around a serious problem, it easily turns into predictability at times. It is also important pointing out that some narrative choices appear rather orthodox and may even compromise the film’s provocativeness. But the latter are beautifully overshadowed by the strong performances.

All in all, Alice, Darling is a powerful movie about friendship, strength, and the consequences of psychological aggression. It gave me a perspective of understanding as well as made me realize the effectiveness of an intervention. The feelings expressed by Anna Kendrick compel the audience to stay engaged all throughout this movie.