A slow burn, Alice, Darling tells the story of a woman struggling to break out of an emotionally abusive relationship, the barriers erected even between her and her closest friends, and the ways victims internalize the psychological violence done to them. At the centre of this is a strong performance by Kendrick who nails all the complexity in her character. Recognizing the complicated ways this sort of abuse manifests, and the ways it can alienate its victims from their networks and themselves, Alice does a very good job of painting a portrait and making it all make sense. The film's tensions arise less from the threat of her abusive partner (although that is there) and more in Alice's struggle to be honest with herself and her friends. The climax of the film is less "thriller" style (the film doesn't devolve into a cinematic chase by a "bad guy") and more of the coming together of the women to end the abuse that has been happening. It remains triumphant even if the film recognizes that Alice still has a way to go to repair all the damage done to her. But Alice, Darling succeeds by being truthful and realistic and not erring on the side of sensationalism.
Alice, Darling
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Wunmi Mosaku, Charlie Carrack
Director: Mary Nighy
Writer: Alanna Francis
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