Alice, Darling

The debut feature of director Mary Nighy is a slow-burning drama exploring the trials of a psychologically abusive relationship. On the surface, it seems that the protagonist Alice (played by Anna Kendrick) is an accomplished young woman who has it all, but the way she experiences life internally is distorted due to her partner’s manipulative behaviour.

There’s nothing more jovial than a get-together with lifelong friends, yet Alice seems on edge as she catches up with Sophie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Tess (Kaniehtiio Horn) over a drink. She is bombarded with messages from her overbearing boyfriend Simon (Charlie Carrick), and has to attend to his every whim for fear of upsetting him. When her friends suggest going on an all-girls getaway, Alice instinctively knows that the only way she can join is by lying to Simon about the nature of the trip.

What makes the storytelling interesting is that each scene zooms in on Alice’s feelings rather than the abusive episodes. Simon’s presence is secondary to the protagonist’s state of mind, as one can deduce that the damage has already been done incrementally over time, and Alice is now in a constant state of alert. Getting away from the source of her misery and opening up to her friends helps Alice gain enough perspective as to the state of her relationship, but she may be far too entangled to react.

Alice, Darling is a sound character study that never feels inauthentic, but the plot itself lacks something to make it stand out and shine. The film’s subtle approach is both its strength and its weakness. On one hand, it can be said that the story is all the more gripping for not overdoing the action and focusing on the nuances of toxic relationship dynamics. On the other hand, the drama seems to simmer beneath the surface without ever evolving into the thriller it promises to be. 

Although there are no overly memorable scenes or dialogues, the film nails the overall mood of subtle tension. Most importantly, it handles a delicate and important subject authentically, which can provide food for thought and validation for people who have been through a similar experience.

Mersa Auda

Alice, Darling is released in select cinemas on 20^th January 2023.

Watch the trailer for Alice, Darling here: