Alice, Darling is all too real

Lionsgate

Many films should and do come with trigger warnings. They’re an extremely useful tool for folks that need a warning on what’s about to come during their movie, play, or video game, in case it would be in their best interest to avoid it. Maybe you’ve seen the sign at your multiplex that gives a flash warning for those susceptible to seizures or perhaps you’ve used the IMDB Parents Guide to see if you can watch a movie with your little one. Filmmakers can still make the movies they want to make, but people can choose whether or not it’ll be an experience for them. I’m a big proponent.

So, here’s my own trigger warning: Alice, Darling, the debut feature from Mary Nighy, will be triggering from beginning to end to those who have experienced psychological and/or physical abuse by a partner.

The movie follows Alice, played by Anna Kendrick, whose relationship with her boyfriend Simon has kept her permanently on edge. She does everything in her life with caution, from the text messages she sends him to practicing conversations before they take place. When it’s time for her to visit her friends Tess and Sophie for a long-awaited and promised girls’ trip/birthday week, she knows Simon won’t be too happy with the proposition. She lies to him. Says needs to go on a last-minute work trip.

For the remainder of the film, she’s worried that he will find out.

So are we.

Because even though we don’t explicitly know what’s gone on between them in the past, we know. We know from her body language, from the way she checks her phone, from the way she lies to her friends about herself, her relationship, her well-being.

Kendrick gives one of the better dramatic performances in a career that many forget is full of them. End of Watch, 50/50, Up in the Air – she’s never been afraid to step away from the musicals (something she also does very well – there’s an entire generation of musical theatre actresses who do their impression of her Cathy in The Last Five Years) and give a more honest performance. In all of those examples, however, she’s supporting the story that follows a male protagonist. Alice, Darling is her story from beginning to end – nothing happens without her, and the audience cares about her from minute one.

It is, of course, really so many people’s real-life story. Kendrick herself has opened up that a previous emotionally-abusive relationship is recollected in her performance. At first glance, her Alice may seem without much to do but look over her shoulder. Where’s her dazzling personality her friends always seem to mention? Where’s the charming Anna Kendrick of it all? But that’s the reality of her situation – she’s been stripped of that joy, that independence, that individuality.

Those friends know that something is wrong, but can’t quite figure it out. Played by Kaniehtiio Horn and Wunmi Mosaku, it’s clear how this trio has formed a bond: they’re supportive, they’re loving, they’re fun. But when Simon’s power over Alice begins to infiltrate their ride-or-die, they don’t know how to respond. Tough love? Comfort? Lecture or affection? That fine line is played with skill by two actresses who, from this alone, are clearly very skillful. If you, like me, are introduced to these two from this film, it’s clear we owe their previous work a deeper dive.

Director Mary Nighy will also be one to watch for a long time, her debut here is impressive, controlled, and powerful. Perhaps its 90 minutes feel padded at times, perhaps the suspense isn’t particularly suspenseful, but this is not a movie about the mechanics. This is a movie about the fraught feelings. The anxiety, the fear, the emotional disorientation that comes from no longer feeling like yourself. Alice has become what Simon wants her to be whether Alice wants that or not. And clearly, she doesn’t want that, but she doesn’t know how to go back to how things were. Or how to move forward.

She’ll need her friends. She doesn’t know how to ask for help, but she needs it. Without spoiling anything, the film’s resolution is one of unity and tight-tight friendship. Even if the film isn’t technically perfect to that point, it will all come together in the end. It’s a powerful piece that has emotions that will stick with you. Triggering for many, probably. But those that do watch will feel well taken care of and well-served.

Alice, Darling has a run time of 1 hour 30 minutes, and is rated R for language and some sexual content.