Alice, Sweet Alice (originally titled Communion) is a disturbing 1976 American horror mystery that blends religious trauma with family dysfunction. Set in 1961 New Jersey, the film follows the Spages family as their younger daughter Karen is brutally murdered during her First Holy Communion ceremony. The immediate suspicion falls on her troubled older sister Alice, who wears a creepy translucent mask and exhibits unsettling behavior.

Director Alfred Sole creates an atmosphere of palpable dread through claustrophobic Catholic imagery and suburban gothic aesthetics. The film's power lies in its ambiguity—is Alice truly the murderer, or is something more sinister at work? Brooke Shields makes her film debut as young Karen, while Paula Sheppard delivers a memorably unnerving performance as Alice that keeps viewers guessing throughout.

What makes Alice, Sweet Alice worth watching is its unique blend of psychological horror and murder mystery. The film explores themes of guilt, faith, and family secrets against the backdrop of Catholic ritual. Despite its low budget, it achieves genuine creepiness through inventive cinematography and a haunting score. The murder sequences remain shocking decades later, particularly the iconic yellow raincoat imagery.

For horror enthusiasts seeking something beyond standard slasher fare, Alice, Sweet Alice offers intelligent suspense and atmospheric terror. Its cult status is well-deserved, featuring one of cinema's most unsettling child performances and a mystery that maintains tension until the final revelation. The film's exploration of religious hypocrisy and childhood trauma gives it substance beyond its scares.