Alice, Darling Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman goes on vacation with her friends to escape her mansplaining boyfriend, but he follows her, and they have a really awkward dinner that ends with symbolic windshield smashing.

🍿 Alice, Darling: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction and Initial Concerns

The movie opens with Alice spending an evening with her best friends, Tess and Sophie. It quickly becomes apparent that Alice is unusually preoccupied, constantly checking her phone and exhibiting nervous tics, particularly touching her hair. This behavior raises concerns among her friends, who suspect something is amiss in her relationship with her boyfriend, Simon.

The Girls’ Weekend Getaway

Sophie suggests a birthday getaway for Tess at her family’s cottage. Alice agrees but lies to Simon, telling him it’s a work trip. During a stop at a convenience store, Alice becomes fixated on a missing girl’s flyer. This missing person case subtly mirrors her own feelings of being lost and controlled. The trip becomes a crucial point for Alice to reflect and rediscover herself away from Simon’s influence.

Confrontation and Emotional Release

As the weekend progresses, Simon discovers Alice’s lie and pressures her to return. Tess and Sophie intervene, hiding Alice’s phone and wallet to encourage her to confront her issues. A seemingly minor incident – the loss of an earring Simon gave her – triggers a significant panic attack, revealing the extent of Simon’s emotional hold over her. Eventually, Alice confesses to her friends about the emotional abuse she’s been enduring.

Simon’s Arrival and the Breaking Point

Simon unexpectedly arrives at the cottage, attempting to control the situation and bring Alice back under his influence. A tense dinner culminates in Simon revealing the missing girl’s body has been found, while Alice presents evidence she found potentially related to the case, highlighting Simon’s dismissive attitude. The next morning, Alice initially agrees to leave with Simon, but a final act of defiance from her friends allows her to break free.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Alice (Anna Kendrick): A young woman struggling to break free from a psychologically abusive relationship with her boyfriend.
• Simon (Charlie Carrick): Alice’s manipulative and controlling boyfriend who subjects her to emotional abuse.
• Tess (Kaniehtiio Horn): One of Alice’s closest friends who recognizes the toxicity of Alice’s relationship and tries to help her.
• Sophie (Wunmi Mosaku): Another of Alice’s closest friends, supportive and instrumental in helping Alice realize the abuse she’s enduring.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Alice: “I know this sounds crazy, but sometimes it feels like he can read my mind and there’s nowhere left that I can actually be alone.” – Expresses the feeling of being constantly watched and controlled by her partner, highlighting the psychological aspect of the abuse.
• Alice: “I can’t do anything else wrong.” – She is in a panic after losing an earring Simon gifted her, illustrating the immense pressure she feels to be perfect in his eyes.
• Tess: “He shows up here, with groceries? This isn’t love, this is crazy.” – Tess vocalizes the concerning behavior of Simon showing up unannounced, highlighting his controlling nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $101,000
• Worldwide Gross: $165,264

💥 Alice, Darling Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a thriller, but what I got was a raw, honest portrayal of emotional abuse. Anna Kendrick’s performance was captivating; I felt her anxiety and confusion. There were moments, like the scene where she’s frantically searching for the lost earring, that were so intense I felt my heart pounding. It made me reflect on how subtle manipulation can be and how important it is to have supportive friends. I definitely left the theater feeling like I learned something profound about relationships.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in psychological dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films about female empowerment”
  • “Individuals interested in stories about overcoming abusive relationships”
  • “Fans of Anna Kendrick”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mentions of emotional abuse”
  • “Discussions of controlling relationships”
  • “Anxiety and panic attacks”
  • “Brief sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• OK! Magazine: “Anna Kendrick delivers a nuanced performance, capturing the subtle nuances of emotional abuse. The film offers a valuable exploration of control and manipulation within relationships.
• The Direct: “The film provides insights into the complex dynamics of abusive relationships and the importance of female friendship in overcoming such challenges. Kendrick’s portrayal is authentic and relatable.
• Original: “Alice, Darling is a slow-burn drama that resonates deeply. Anna Kendrick’s portrayal of a woman grappling with emotional abuse is haunting. The film’s strength lies in its realistic depiction of subtle manipulation and the power of female friendships in breaking free from toxic situations. However, the pacing might not appeal to all viewers, and some may find the plot too uneventful. Nonetheless, it’s a thought-provoking and impactful film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

Viewers appreciated the realistic portrayal of subtle emotional abuse.: Most viewers commend Anna Kendrick’s powerful performance and the film’s focus on the complexities of manipulative relationships.

Some audiences found the film boring and wanted more exciting and high-drama events: A vocal contingent was bored by a slow-paced film that gave no satisfying climaxes

Overall Consensus: Alice, Darling is a thought-provoking drama lauded for its realistic depiction of emotional abuse and stellar performance by Anna Kendrick, though some find its pacing slow and uneventful.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Anna Kendrick has spoken about her personal experiences with emotional and psychological abuse, which she drew upon to inform her performance as Alice.”
• “The film explores the insidious nature of emotional abuse, highlighting how it can be subtle and difficult to recognize from the outside.”
• “The missing girl subplot serves as a parallel to Alice’s own loss of self within the abusive relationship, symbolizing the feeling of disappearing.”

🖥️ How to Watch Alice, Darling?

Alice, Darling is available for streaming via various platforms. Check your local listings for availability on services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, or other on-demand platforms. It is also available for purchase or rental through digital retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Alice, Darling, you might like these similar films:

• Gaslight (1944): Explores psychological manipulation within a relationship, creating a sense of paranoia and questioning of reality.
• Sleeping with the Enemy (1991): A woman escapes an abusive husband and starts a new life, but he relentlessly tracks her down.
• Enough (2002): A woman discovers her seemingly perfect husband has a dark, controlling side and must protect herself and her daughter.
• The Invisible Man (2020): A modern take on abuse where a woman believes she is being stalked by her abusive and presumed-dead ex-boyfriend, highlighting themes of control and gaslighting.

🛒 Alice, Darling Related Products

• Anna Kendrick Signed Movie Photo: A rare collectible featuring a signed photo of Anna Kendrick. Perfect for fans and collectors, this piece celebrates her role in ‘Alice, Darling’.
• Relationship Recovery Workbook: A practical guide to help you heal and recover from unhealthy relationships. Learn to set boundaries, build self-esteem, and foster healthy connections. Includes guided exercises and advice.
• Self-Care Relaxation Kit: Indulge in self-care with this relaxation kit. Includes aromatherapy oils, a calming bath bomb, and a soothing eye mask to help you unwind and de-stress.
• Emotional Intelligence Game: An interactive board game designed to enhance emotional intelligence. Learn to recognize, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and others. Suitable for families and groups.

🎧 Soundtrack

Alice, Darling features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “In the Mood” – performed by Favours

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

‘Alice, Darling’ with Anna Kendrick and Alanna Francis | Academy Conversations

Ever wonder what the writer and Anna Kendrick were REALLY thinking when making ‘Alice, Darling’? This Academy Conversation gives you the inside scoop – I never knew some of these details!

Mark Kermode reviews Alice, Darling – Kermode and Mayo’s Take

Want to know if ‘Alice, Darling’ is worth your time? Mark Kermode’s review is a must-watch before you decide! He’s pretty spot on with this one, in my opinion.

Anna Kendrick Says Her Experience in an Abusive Relationship Led Her to Star in Alice, Darling

Anna Kendrick reveals a very personal connection to ‘Alice, Darling’ and how it mirrors some of her own experiences. This makes the movie all the more powerful, trust me.

Anna Kendrick on the “Exciting and Scary Challenge” of Her Performance in ‘Alice, Darling’ | TIFF

The whole cast of ‘Alice, Darling’ chats about the ‘scary’ parts of bringing the movie to life. You’ll appreciate how they brought the movie to life after watching this!

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