Alice, Darling (2022) is a compelling psychological drama that explores the insidious nature of emotional abuse and the power of friendship. Directed by Mary Nighy, the film follows Alice (Anna Kendrick), a young woman whose personality has been gradually eroded by her controlling boyfriend, Simon. The story takes a tense turn when Alice's two closest friends, noticing her alarming behavior, orchestrate an intervention during what appears to be a simple lakeside vacation.

Anna Kendrick delivers a career-best, nuanced performance, masterfully portraying Alice's anxiety, fractured self-esteem, and the constant psychological warfare she endures. The supporting cast, including Kaniehtiio Horn and Wunmi Mosaku as the concerned friends, provides a grounded and powerful counterpoint, representing the lifeline Alice struggles to grasp. The film's strength lies in its subtlety; it avoids melodrama, instead building unbearable tension through quiet moments, loaded glances, and the terrifying normalcy of coercive control.

Viewers should watch Alice, Darling for its unflinching and authentic portrayal of a rarely depicted form of trauma. It's a thriller not of chases, but of psychology—a gripping, character-driven story about intervention, recovery, and the difficult journey back to self. The beautiful, isolating lakeside setting contrasts sharply with the internal turmoil, making for a cinematic experience that is both haunting and ultimately hopeful about the resilience of the human spirit.