“Alpha” Movie Review: Julia Ducournau’s Latest Film at Cannes 2025 Fails to Impress

At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, French director Julia Ducournau returned with a new film called Alpha. After winning big with her earlier work Titane and gaining fans from her film Raw, people were excited to see what she would do next. But this time, the response was not as expected.

In this review on Film Daily, we’re keeping it simple and honest. We’ll break down what Alpha is about, how the audience reacted, and whether it’s worth watching.

What Is the Story of “Alpha”?

Alpha is a dark and emotional story that follows a 13-year-old girl named Alpha. She lives with her mother, who is a nurse. One day, Alpha attends a party where she gets a tattoo using a shared needle. Soon after, a strange illness begins spreading in her town. People start turning into marble-like statues, and fear spreads quickly.

Because Alpha got her tattoo just before the outbreak, people in the community blame her. She becomes the target of judgment, fear, and isolation. Her mother tries to protect her, but even that becomes difficult. Meanwhile, Alpha’s uncle Amin, played by Tahar Rahim, is also affected by the disease. He has a past of drug use and is one of the few people who treats Alpha with kindness.

The film wants to show how society treats people during times of fear and confusion. It also tries to talk about how people who are sick or different are often blamed unfairly.

You can find more movie breakdowns like this on Film Daily that keep things clear and easy to understand.

What Is the Film Really Trying to Say?

Julia Ducournau is known for telling deep and sometimes strange stories. With Alpha, she wanted to show how panic and illness can tear apart families and communities. Some people say the film reminds them of how people reacted during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s—where fear led to blame, even without proof.

The film also talks about growing up in a world where people don’t always believe or support you. Alpha is just a teenager, but she is treated like an outsider. The film shows how children often deal with problems that are far too big for their age.

But even though these themes are serious and meaningful, many viewers felt the way the film told the story made it hard to follow.

For more thoughtful reviews that explain stories in simple words, keep checking Film Daily.

What Did Critics Say?

Critics were very excited before the screening, but most were disappointed after watching the film. Some said the movie had no clear direction. Others said it tried to say too much but didn’t say anything clearly.

The Guardian called it “confusing and disappointing.” Another review from Decider said it was a “baffling misfire.” That means people found it hard to connect with the story or understand what was going on.

However, not everything was negative. The acting was praised. Mélissa Boros, who plays Alpha, did a great job. She showed the fear and sadness of her character very well. Golshifteh Farahani, who plays her mother, also gave a strong performance. Tahar Rahim as the uncle brought emotion and depth to his scenes.

Even with good acting, many felt the film lacked a clear storyline or emotional connection.

At Film Daily, we focus on honest and simple reviews, so readers can decide for themselves.

How Was the Visual Side of the Film?

Ducournau has a unique visual style. She knows how to make her films look different and interesting. In Alpha, the images of people slowly turning into statues were spooky and memorable. The use of light, shadows, and colors created a very serious and heavy mood.

But again, many viewers said that just looking good is not enough. A film also needs a good story, and that’s where Alpha fell short.

For more on films with strong visuals and better storytelling, follow Film Daily where we share both the good and the not-so-good.

FAQs About “Alpha”

Q1: When was Alpha shown at Cannes 2025?

It was screened during the main competition in May 2025.

Q2: Who is the lead actor in the film?

Mélissa Boros plays Alpha. Other key actors are Golshifteh Farahani and Tahar Rahim.

Q3: What is the film’s main topic?

It focuses on fear, illness, judgment, and how people treat each other during a crisis.

Q4: Is it based on real events?

No, but it uses ideas that are close to real-life events like the AIDS crisis.

Q5: Where can I find more movie reviews like this?

You can read more on Film Daily for regular updates and easy-to-read reviews.

Final Thoughts

Alpha is a movie that wanted to talk about serious topics. It had a lot of potential. The idea behind the film was strong. The acting was also solid. But the way the story was told made it hard to connect with. It’s not a film that everyone will enjoy. For people who like artsy, deep films, this might still be worth watching. But for most viewers, it may feel confusing and slow.

As always, for more movie news, film festival updates, and honest reviews in plain English, visit Film Daily. We’re here to make cinema talk simple and clear for Indian audiences who want good content without the big words.