Julia Ducournau's 'Alpha' is Here: Get Ready for a New Kind of Visceral Drama

Palme d'Or winner Julia Ducournau is back with Alpha, a powerful coming-of-age story that blends intense human emotion with her signature, unforgettable style. Prepare for a film that critics are already calling audacious and deeply moving!

TL;DR

• Julia Ducournau's new film, Alpha, explores themes of grief, addiction, and a mysterious disease that turns people to marble.
• It received an 11.5-minute standing ovation at Cannes and premiered to acclaim at the London Film Festival.
• Starring Mélissa Boros, Golshifteh Farahani, and Tahar Rahim, Alpha is set to hit UK cinemas on November 14, 2025.

The Groundbreaking Visionary Julia Ducournau Returns to the Screen

If you're into genre-bending cinema that sticks with you long after the credits roll, then you already know Julia Ducournau. This French writer-director blew us away with her earlier films, 2016's intense cannibal chiller Raw and 2021's wild object-sexuality body horror, Titane. The latter even snagged her the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes, making her the first solo female director to ever win the top prize! Talk about a filmmaker who isn't afraid to push boundaries.

Now, Ducournau is back with her latest mononymously titled movie, Alpha, and if the early buzz and the intense first trailer are any indication, she's about to solidify her status as one of the most exciting voices in modern cinema. But don't go in expecting just another straightforward body horror flick – Alpha promises to be a much more intimate, emotional journey, even as it retains those signature visceral elements we've come to expect.

Unveiling the Mysterious Plot of 'Alpha': A Story of Disease and Family Bonds

So, what exactly is Alpha all about? Imagine a coming-of-age tale, but twisted through Ducournau's unique lens, set against the backdrop of a world grappling with a terrifying new disease. The film centers on a 13-year-old girl named Alpha (played by the remarkable newcomer Mélissa Boros), whose life with her doctor mother (Golshifteh Farahani) gets flipped upside down. Alpha gets a questionable tattoo, and suddenly, her mother fears she's contracted an incurable illness that's turning people to marble.

This isn't just about a physical transformation, though. The film delves deep into the emotional fallout, exploring the mother-daughter relationship as they navigate growing paranoia and a devastating pandemic. We also meet Alpha's uncle, Amin (Tahar Rahim, who reportedly lost a staggering 44 lbs for the role), a drug addict afflicted with the same marbleizing condition. His mysterious connection to Alpha and her mother adds another layer of complexity to the already intense narrative.

The story also uses a split timeline, blurring past and present to mirror fragmented memories and psychological distress. This stylistic choice encourages viewers to piece together details and enhances the film's replay value, promising new insights with each viewing.

Exploring the Deep Allegories and Profound Themes Within 'Alpha'

While Ducournau's previous works like Raw and Titane were very much centered on explicit body horror, Alpha uses similar elements to tell a profoundly personal and allegorical story. Critics are suggesting that the unnamed, bloodborne virus in the film, spread through contaminated needles and bodily fluids, serves as a powerful allegory for the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 80s and 90s. The hospital wards filling with "marble men" are a poignant, surreal reflection of that painful period.

However, the film also resonates with more recent experiences, echoing the social panic, stigma, and isolation many faced during the COVID pandemic. As one character, a phlebotomist played by Emma Mackey, tellingly puts it, "This changed world must be hell for kids." Ducournau masterfully blends these historical and contemporary anxieties, making the fear of the unknown and the impact of illness on human connection feel incredibly real and impactful.

Beyond the disease, Alpha is a rich exploration of grief and family. Alpha's mother, often referred to simply as "maman," carries the weight of past traumas, particularly the loss of her brother (Amin) to the disease. The film becomes a study of how survivors of epidemics cope with unresolved grief, especially when societal stigma prevented traditional mourning. It's a testament to the film's emotional depth that it focuses less on shocking audiences and more on moving them, delivering a raw and gritty, yet deeply affecting, experience.

"This changed world must be hell for kids."

— A character in Julia Ducournau's 'Alpha' (spoken by Emma Mackey's phlebotomist)

Meet the Stellar Ensemble Cast Delivering Raw and Gripping Performances

The emotional core of Alpha is brought to life by its phenomenal cast, whose performances are already garnering significant praise. Mélissa Boros, as the titular Alpha, delivers an astonishing portrayal of a teenager grappling with immense challenges. Reviewers have highlighted her "old gaze" and powerful grit, making her character's struggle with bullying, alienation, and the fear of illness feel agonizingly authentic.

Golshifteh Farahani, playing Alpha's mother, is described as "painfully authentic" and "remarkable." Her performance captures the worry and compassion of a woman fighting for her daughter and brother, all while tied to the terrors of her past. Many critics believe she deserves awards for her nuanced depiction of emotional baggage.

Tahar Rahim's transformation into Uncle Amin is equally compelling. His dedication to the role, including significant weight loss, brings a desperate authenticity to a character struggling with addiction and the devastating effects of the disease. The growing understanding between Alpha and Amin, amidst all the chaos, forms a deeply harrowing and life-affirming delight in the film.

Even in a brief role, Emma Mackey leaves a memorable impression as a phlebotomist, adding to the film's tapestry of characters affected by the pandemic. The cast's ability to communicate complex emotions through expressions alone, even in a foreign language film, is lauded as excellent.

The Festival Circuit Acclaim and Critical Reception for 'Alpha'

Alpha has already made significant waves on the festival circuit, building immense anticipation for its wider release. It premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where it received an impressive 11.5-minute standing ovation – a clear sign of its profound impact on audiences. It then went on to screen as part of the "Dare" strand at the BFI London Film Festival 2025, and also played at Sitges Film Festival and the UK's Celluloid Screams in Sheffield.

Critics have been largely positive, praising Ducournau's audacity and innovative approach. While some note that it can be "visually jarring and uncomfortable," they agree it's "not meant to shock; it's meant to move." Many reviewers found themselves liking the film more as time passed, appreciating its raw, gritty, and unique qualities. Its stylized visuals and intelligent sound design, including music by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Beethoven, and Portishead, create a truly immersive and "beautiful" yet "terrifying" experience.

One review gave it 4 out of 5 stars, specifically highlighting how "it moved me, and that automatically makes it good cinema to me." While it might not be everyone's cup of tea due to its uncompromising nature and open-ended interpretations, Alpha is consistently described as a "masterclass in emotional resonance" and a "thought-provoking film that's a smorgasbord of emotional baggage."

When and Where Can You Experience 'Alpha' in Theaters?

Good news for our UK readers! Alpha is confirmed for a theatrical release in UK cinemas on November 14, 2025. So mark your calendars and prepare for a unique cinematic experience from Julia Ducournau.

For those in the US, the film has found a distributor in NEON, but a specific US release date has not yet been announced. Keep an eye on official announcements from NEON for updates on when you can catch Alpha stateside.

Frequently Asked Questions About Julia Ducournau's 'Alpha'

When does Julia Ducournau's 'Alpha' release in the UK?

Alpha is scheduled to be released in UK cinemas on November 14, 2025.

Will 'Alpha' be released in the US, and when?

Yes, NEON is the US distributor for Alpha. However, an official US release date has not yet been announced.

Is 'Alpha' primarily a body horror film like 'Titane' or 'Raw'?

While Alpha does incorporate elements of body horror, it's described as a genre-bending drama, a coming-of-age story, and an elevated horror film. It uses body horror conventions to tell a profoundly personal and allegorical story, focusing more on human drama, grief, and emotional impact rather than just shock value.

What are the main themes explored in 'Alpha'?

Alpha delves into a rich tapestry of themes, including grief, trauma, memory, addiction, familial bonds (especially the mother-daughter and sibling relationships), social panic, isolation, and the stigma associated with illness. It also acts as a powerful allegory for the HIV/AIDS crisis and resonates with experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources

• Alpha Trailer: Titane Director Julia Ducournau Returns With A Different Kind Of Body Horror
• Will Break The Stoniest Heart – Alpha (London Film Festival 2025)
• Alpha Review: An AIDS Allegory Set in a Messily Sketched Dystopian Setting
• ‘Alpha’ Movie Review: A Coming-Of-Age Film Set Amidst Tragedy
• Curzon unveils new trailer for Julia Ducournau’s ‘Alpha’
• Julia Ducournau's ‘Alpha’ Trailer Teases an Infection Thriller With a Body Horror Twist
• BFI London Film Festival 2025: Alpha
• New trailer for Julia Ducournau's Alpha
• Julia Ducournau’s ALPHA Gets New Trailer
• Julia Ducournau’s ‘Alpha’ – Official Trailer Reveals a Haunting Vision of Love, Fear and Transformation