Coming Soon: Alpha (2025) by Julia Ducournau

Alpha (2025) by Julia Ducournau: A Visceral Allegory of Fear and Transformation

Description: "Alpha" (2025) is a French-Belgian body horror drama film written and directed by Julia Ducournau. Set in an indeterminate past, likely the 1980s or 1990s, the film explores the life of Alpha (Mélissa Boros), a troubled 13-year-old girl living with her single mother (Golshifteh Farahani). Their world is upended when Alpha returns home from school with a mysterious tattoo on her arm, sparking fears that she has contracted a new, lethal bloodborne disease that slowly turns its sufferers to marble. The film uses this fictitious epidemic as a powerful allegory for the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis, delving into themes of fear, stigma, bodily transformation, and coming-of-age amidst a terrifying threat.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32275943/

Link Review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/19/alpha-review-julia-ducournaus-disjointed-body-horror-is-an-absolute-gamma

About movie: https://alphalefilm.fr/?starts_at=1747958400000

Release Date on Streaming: Specific streaming release dates will follow its theatrical and festival run, likely on platforms associated with its distributors (e.g., Neon's distribution deals).

Theatrical Release:

• World Premiere: May 19, 2025 (78th Cannes Film Festival – Main Competition)

• France: August 20, 2025

• United States: October 2025 (by Neon)

• United Kingdom & Ireland: Fall 2025 (by Curzon)

Detailed Summary: The narrative of "Alpha" unfolds in a non-specific past, evoking the grim atmosphere of the 1980s or 1990s, when a mysterious and terrifying bloodborne disease begins to spread. The central character is 13-year-old Alpha, a pre-teen navigating the complexities of adolescence while living with her dedicated but increasingly anxious single mother, Maman.

The catalyst for the film's unfolding horror occurs when Alpha returns home with a fresh tattoo on her arm – a large, stark letter "A." This seemingly innocuous act sends shockwaves through their household, as it becomes a potential sign of infection with the new, horrifying illness. The disease is characterized by a gruesome progression where sufferers gradually "turn to marble" – their bodies desiccating and solidifying into a smooth, stone-like texture before crumbling into dust.

As Alpha's symptoms begin to manifest, the film delves into her emotional and physical transformation. She recalls her infected uncle Amin (Tahar Rahim), who has been living with the disease for years, and whose presence becomes a haunting question mark throughout Alpha's own journey. The film explores the profound fear and shame associated with the epidemic, reflecting the societal panic and stigma experienced during the early HIV/AIDS crisis. Ducournau grounds these allegorical elements in Alpha's everyday teenage anxieties, showing her encounters with bullies who target her due to her illness, and her struggles for support from her boyfriend and others.

"Alpha" is a visceral exploration of the body, fear, and societal reaction to disease, characteristic of Ducournau's previous works ("Raw," "Titane"). While less overtly "body horror" than her previous films, it still features striking visual metaphors for bodily change and decay, albeit with a more allegorical and perhaps more "prettified" approach to a horrific subject matter, which has drawn some critical discussion. The film also delves into dream sequences and shifting timelines, creating a complex and sometimes disorienting narrative that reflects Alpha's internal turmoil.

Plot Summary:

• Impending Epidemic: A new, terrifying bloodborne disease, reminiscent of AIDS, spreads, turning sufferers to marble.

• Alpha's Infection: 13-year-old Alpha returns home with a mysterious tattoo, leading her mother to fear she's contracted the illness.

• Bodily Transformation: Alpha begins to experience symptoms as her body slowly changes, haunted by memories of her infected uncle.

• Social Stigma: The film explores the fear, shame, and societal ostracization faced by those affected, mirroring the historical AIDS crisis.

• Coming-of-Age in Crisis: Alpha navigates adolescence and identity amidst a terrifying personal and global health threat.

Director's Vision: Julia Ducournau's vision for "Alpha" is to craft her most personal and profound film yet, using a fictitious epidemic as a potent allegory for the HIV/AIDS crisis. She aimed to explore the "contagious fear" and "sense of shame" that permeated society during that period, reflecting her own childhood memories of HIV's emergence. While maintaining her fascination with bodily transformation, Ducournau intentionally adopted a "more grounded form of body horror" for this film, striving for sincerity and vulnerability. She wanted to challenge herself by stepping out of her "comfort zone" of extreme body horror and delve into a more emotionally exposed and relatable narrative, focusing on how a society reacts to a terrifying new disease and how it shapes individual lives.

Themes:

• HIV/AIDS Allegory: A central theme, reflecting the fear, stigma, and societal response to the real-life epidemic.

• Bodily Transformation and Decay: Consistent with Ducournau's filmography, exploring physical changes, albeit with a new allegorical layer.

• Fear and Stigma: The societal panic, ostracization, and shame associated with a contagious and devastating illness.

• Adolescence and Identity: The challenges of coming-of-age and forming one's identity under the shadow of a life-altering disease.

• Mother-Daughter Relationship: The dynamic between Alpha and her mother, struggling to cope with the diagnosis and its implications.

• The Unseen Threat: The pervasive anxiety and psychological impact of living with a deadly, poorly understood illness.

Key Success Factors (Anticipated/Actual):

• Julia Ducournau's Auteur Status: Her established reputation as a Palme d'Or winner creates immense anticipation and draws critical attention.

• Powerful Allegorical Narrative: The film's use of a fictitious disease to explore the complexities of the AIDS epidemic provides a timely and potent message.

• Strong Ensemble Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Tahar Rahim, and newcomer Mélissa Boros deliver compelling performances.

• Visceral Storytelling: While different from her previous works, Ducournau's signature style ensures a raw and immersive experience.

• Cannes Competition Selection: Its premiere in the Main Competition at the Cannes Film Festival confirms its artistic significance.

Summary Short: "Alpha" (2025) is Julia Ducournau's latest body horror drama, premiering in competition at Cannes 2025. It stars Mélissa Boros as Alpha, a 13-year-old girl feared to have contracted a new bloodborne disease that turns people to marble, serving as an allegory for the AIDS epidemic. Golshifteh Farahani and Tahar Rahim co-star. Neon holds North American distribution rights, with a US theatrical release set for October 2025.

Awards and Nominations:

• Official Selection, Main Competition: 78th Cannes Film Festival (World Premiere: May 19, 2025)

• Nominated for Queer Palm: 78th Cannes Film Festival

Critics Reception: Critical reception for "Alpha" following its Cannes premiere has been mixed, with strong opinions both praising its ambition and thematic depth, and criticizing its execution, particularly regarding its allegorical approach and narrative coherence.

• Positive Remarks: Some critics lauded Ducournau's courage in tackling such a sensitive subject and her continued exploration of bodily transformation. Mélissa Boros's performance as Alpha received praise for its raw energy and magnetism. The film was noted for its "stunning" and "powerful" visual metaphors, especially the "marble" transformation.

• Mixed/Negative Remarks: A significant portion of critics found the film to be "muddled," "uneven," and at times "incoherent." Some felt that the AIDS allegory, while ambitious, was "tortured" or "dated," and that the film "dialed back" Ducournau's signature body horror in a way that didn't fully land. The narrative was sometimes criticized for veering into Lynchian territory without the necessary grounding, causing a lack of emotional connection or a "blender of ideas."

• Overall Summary: "Alpha" is a film that provokes strong reactions. It's clearly a significant work of an important director, but its artistic choices have led to a divisive reception, indicating it might be a film that viewers either deeply connect with or find frustrating.

Reviews: Reviews emphasize the film's ambition and its central performance, but also its polarizing nature:

• Variety (Peter Debruge): Described it as "a more grounded form of body horror" but questioned if it would "please anyone but her" [Ducournau].

• The Hollywood Reporter (Jordan Mintzer): Highlighted the strong lead performances but felt the film was "muddled."

• AV Club: Stated Ducournau "drops the body horror and just tortures a metaphor," finding the film "uninviting" and prone to crumbling.

• Screen Daily: Noted that Ducournau aims for "an emotional heart beneath a veneer of horror-tinged genre elements."

• World of Reel: Called it a "stunning failure" that "suffers from its own ambition" and is "uneven and at times incoherent."

• Unifrance: Acknowledged it as a "more intimate film, but not abandoning her obsessions as a filmmaker."

Box Office: "Alpha (2025)" is a French-Belgian independent art-house film. As of its Cannes premiere, box office figures are not available. Its primary impact will be through critical reception, festival screenings, and limited theatrical releases. Neon, known for distributing critically acclaimed independent films, has acquired North American rights, suggesting it will receive a targeted release rather than a wide commercial rollout.

Production: "Alpha (2025)" is a French-Belgian co-production. It has a runtime of 122 minutes (2 hours 2 minutes). It is presented in color and primarily in French, with some English. The film was written and directed by Julia Ducournau.

• Cinematography: Ruben Impens (frequent collaborator of Ducournau on "Titane" and "Raw")

• Music Composer: Jim Williams (also composed for "Raw" and "Titane")

• Editor: Jean-Christophe Bouzy

• Principal Photography: Began in September 2023.

Production Companies:

• Mandarin & Compagnie (France)

• Kallouche Cinéma (France)

• Frakas Productions (Belgium)

• France 3 Cinéma (France)

• Petit Film

Sales Companies:

• Charades (International Sales)

• FilmNation Entertainment (International Sales)

Distribution Companies:

• Neon (North America - US & Canada)

• Curzon (UK & Ireland)

• Diaphana (France)

• Mubi (Latin America, India)

• Various other distributors for specific territories (e.g., Kismet Movies for Australia/New Zealand, Plaion Pictures for Germany/Austria, etc.)

Why You Should Watch This Movie:

• From a Palme d'Or Winning Director: Julia Ducournau's previous work, "Titane," made her the second female director to win the Palme d'Or. Her latest film is a must-see for anyone interested in groundbreaking and challenging cinema.

• A Unique Allegory for the AIDS Crisis: The film uses a fantastical, body-horror-tinged epidemic to powerfully explore the fear, stigma, and human cost of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, offering a fresh, visceral perspective on a crucial historical period.

• Masterful Visceral Storytelling: Ducournau excels at creating immersive and unsettling cinematic experiences. Even with a more allegorical approach, "Alpha" promises to be a visually and emotionally potent film.

• Compelling Performances: With an acclaimed cast including Golshifteh Farahani and Tahar Rahim, alongside breakout newcomer Mélissa Boros, the film is driven by strong and nuanced acting.

• Prompts Deep Discussion: Like Ducournau's previous works, "Alpha" is designed to provoke thought and conversation about complex themes of identity, bodily autonomy, societal fear, and the human condition.

Why to Watch Movie:

• If you are a fan of Julia Ducournau's previous work ("Raw," "Titane"): Expect her signature style, albeit with a new thematic focus.

• For unique and challenging body horror/drama: It uses genre elements to explore profound human experiences.

• To engage with social commentary through allegory: The film tackles the AIDS crisis through a metaphorical lens.

• If you appreciate films with strong, complex female protagonists: Alpha's journey is at the heart of the narrative.

• For a film that pushes boundaries and sparks debate: Ducournau's films are rarely subtle and always memorable.

What Movie Trend Film Is Following: Elevated Horror / Arthouse Horror: Continues the trend of horror films that transcend mere genre conventions, focusing on profound psychological and social themes, often with a distinct artistic vision. It also aligns with films that use speculative fiction or fantasy elements to allegorize real-world societal issues, particularly health crises or social anxieties.

What Big Social Trend Is Following: The film directly addresses the cultural memory and ongoing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, exploring themes of stigma, disease, and societal fear. It also contributes to the broader conversation about bodily autonomy and the transformation of the self, reflecting contemporary interests in identity and personal experience.

Final Verdict: "Alpha (2025)" is a courageous and ambitious film that solidifies Julia Ducournau's status as one of the most exciting and singular voices in contemporary cinema. While its allegorical approach to the AIDS crisis and its narrative structure have drawn mixed critical responses, its sheer ambition, striking visuals, and potent performances ensure it is a film that demands to be seen and discussed. It's a challenging, visceral, and ultimately profound exploration of fear, transformation, and human resilience, continuing Ducournau's fearless delve into the complexities of the human body and mind.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Don't Shy Away from Difficult Topics: Use genre or allegory as a powerful tool to explore complex and sensitive social or historical issues.

• Embrace Your Artistic Vision: Maintain a distinctive stylistic and thematic voice, even when exploring new territory or toning down previous elements.

• Prioritize Emotional Truth: Even with fantastical elements, ground the narrative in genuine human emotion and character experiences to make the allegory resonate.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Auteur-Driven Projects: Continue to invest in directors with unique visions, even if their films are challenging or unconventional.

• Recognize the Power of Allegory: Promote films that use creative storytelling to engage with difficult societal issues, fostering discussion and understanding.

• Champion Diverse Narratives: Support films that explore a wide range of human experiences, including those related to health crises, stigma, and bodily autonomy.