Film Review – Alpha (2025)

      **Alpha, 2025**

      Written and Directed by Julia Ducournau

      Starring Mélissa Boros, Tahar Rahim, Golshifteh Farahani, and Emma Mackey

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Alpha, a 13-year-old troubled teenager, lives alone with her mother. Their lives are upended the day she returns home from school with a tattoo on her arm.

      Julia Ducournau's remarkable debut, Raw, along with her Palme d’Or-winning second feature, Titane, has established her as an essential auteur. Therefore, it is somewhat disappointing that her third film, Alpha, feels as unremarkable as it does.

      The narrative centers around 13-year-old Alpha (Mélissa Boros), who heads home from a party sporting a new tattoo, leading her mother to fear that it may have exposed her to a deadly virus prevalent in their community. This coming-of-age film, layered with Ducournau’s signature body horror, also serves as a brazen social commentary on societal attitudes toward the sick.

      The film draws clear parallels to the AIDS crisis—depicting those infected as gradually transforming into marble while receiving uncomfortable glances and hushed whispers wherever they go. This messaging is strikingly overt and potentially even somewhat outdated, lacking the insight and depth Ducournau likely aims for.

      As with the director’s earlier work, family dynamics play a crucial role in Alpha—specifically the relationship between Alpha, her mother, and her uncle, as well as the sibling bond between her uncle Amin and her mother. Amin, a struggling drug addict, is portrayed through a standout performance by Tahar Rahim, who elevates the material and deserves a better script.

      Alpha’s connection with Amin is compelling, showcasing his caring, charming demeanor, which earns him perhaps overly generous patience from his family. There are several genuinely touching moments shared between them, but these interactions become repetitive and evoke little progress. Moreover, the film's frequent shifts to flashbacks fail to transition smoothly, leaving audiences confused about the narrative timeline.

      It seems Ducournau misses an opportunity by confining the story to the family setting, without exploring the broader societal implications of the virus. A wider perspective might have added depth to the film. While there are memorable scenes, such as Alpha bleeding in the school pool and being perceived as a monster by her peers, the overall impact feels muted.

      The marble effects are visually stunning, but the film disappoints in failing to elicit a sense of shock or awe. Perhaps we’ve come to expect this from Ducournau, who has previously pushed boundaries in her work. In comparison, Alpha feels rather tame and at times, dull.

      The film's palette, marked by dull grey tones, further undercuts its effectiveness. For a director known for creating unforgettable experiences, the most surprising aspect of Alpha is how forgettable it ultimately is. It includes some noteworthy moments, but it likely won’t resonate beyond the credits.

      **Flickering Myth Rating** – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Dan Barnes