Director Julia Ducournau’s Alpha is like, really weird — not ’cause of what it shows, but ’cause every choice it makes feels kinda off. The story of a mysterious illness, a controlling mom, and a vulnerable teenager unfolds in awkward ways, with an HIV metaphor that’s pretty confusing, and attempts at addressing social issues that just don’t quite hit the mark. The dramatic score tries to amp up the intensity, but it’s hard to take the movie seriously after a while, which is why many think it’s the worst one at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
Alpha isn’t really scary or unsettling; it’s more like puzzling, which is a big disappointment coming from Ducournau. Her first movie, Raw, was a bit rough around the edges but managed to leave a lasting impact. Then came Titane, a film that explored gender dysphoria in a unique way and won her the Palme d’Or at Cannes. However, with Alpha, Ducournau’s focus on transformation feels scattered and kinda off, even though the visuals at the beginning are at least interesting.
The film opens with shots that draw parallels between nature and the human body, comparing cracks in the dry earth to bruises on a forearm. It then shifts to a heartwarming scene between a heroin addict and his young niece, who sees beauty in his struggles. But things take a darker turn when the niece, now a teenager, gets a tattoo at a party, setting off a chain of events that feel more self-indulgent than impactful. The narrative meanders through various themes without really delving deep into any of them, leaving viewers confused and disconnected from the story. Ducournau’s attempt to address complex issues falls flat, as the film fails to make a meaningful connection between its ideas and the audience.
As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that Ducournau struggles to maintain a cohesive storyline, with disjointed timelines and abrupt shifts in tone. The characters, while well-performed, lack depth and fail to engage the audience on a meaningful level. Despite the film’s attempt to explore societal issues such as homophobia and assimilation, these themes feel disjointed and underdeveloped, adding to the overall confusion of the narrative. By the end, Alpha loses its focus entirely, leaving viewers with more questions than answers and a sense of dissatisfaction with the storytelling.
In conclusion, Alpha is a jumbled mess of ideas that never quite come together in a meaningful way. Ducournau’s attempt to tackle challenging material falls short, as the film lacks the coherence and depth needed to leave a lasting impact. While the performances are commendable, they are overshadowed by the film’s disjointed narrative and lack of clear direction. Overall, Alpha fails to deliver on its promise of a thought-provoking exploration of identity and transformation, leaving audiences perplexed and unsatisfied.
