Anna Kendrick’s Underrated Domestic Thriller Finds New Life on Streaming

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As a seasoned cinephile with over two decades of film viewing under my belt, I must say that Anna Kendrick has consistently proven herself to be a versatile and powerful actress, but her performance in “Alice, Darling” stands out as one of her finest. The film’s gripping portrayal of emotional abuse and the complexities of toxic relationships is a stark reminder of the subtle yet destructive nature of such relationships, making it an essential watch for anyone seeking to understand the signs better.

The film’s critical acclaim and success on streaming platforms have solidified its place in the annals of domestic violence narratives, serving as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of hope for those trapped in similar situations. Kendrick’s ability to embody Alice’s struggle with such vulnerability and authenticity is truly commendable, and I eagerly await her upcoming projects.

Now, on a lighter note, I must admit that after watching Anna Kendrick play Queen Poppy in “Trolls Band Together,” I can’t help but wonder if she’s secretly been auditioning for the role of a queen in real life. After all, with her talent and charisma, who knows? Maybe one day we’ll be bowing to Anna Kendrick IRL!

Ever since her debut in the 2008 film “Twilight,” Anna Kendrick has solidified her place as a consistent presence in Hollywood, taking on diverse characters. She played the aspiring music producer Beca Mitchell in “Pitch Perfect” and Cinderella in “Into the Woods,” among others. However, it’s arguably her portrayal of Alice in the 2022 thriller “Alice, Darling” that has demonstrated the most intensity. This movie, which is currently holding the third spot on Hulu’s list of most-watched films, has gained significant attention recently.

Under the guidance of debut director Mary Nighy, the film titled “Alice, Darling” centers around the character of Alice, played by Kendrick, who is trapped in a psychologically abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Simon (Charlie Carrick). While on vacation with her two closest friends, Tess (Kaniehtiio Horn) and Sophie (Wunmi Mosaku), without Simon’s awareness, Alice takes the opportunity to reassess her life. However, before she can fully break free, her controlling partner arrives, setting the stage for a gripping final act filled with powerful emotional resonance.

As a movie enthusiast, I haven’t stopped raving about Alice, Darling since I watched it. Despite its underwhelming performance at the box office during its short stint in cinemas, this film was a critically acclaimed masterpiece, earning nominations for three prestigious awards. Currently, it holds an impressive 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is Certified Fresh.

The consensus among critics is that the lead actress delivers one of her career-best performances in this movie. Edward Porter from The Sunday Times even called it a “public-service broadcast on how to recognize nonphysical abuse.” Anna Smith from Time Out echoed these sentiments, praising Alice, Darling as a “believable portrayal of the impact of gaslighting and brainwashing.” Many viewers will likely identify with Alice’s conviction that she’s at fault, making her journey relatable and poignant.

What’s Next for Anna Kendrick?

2022 marked the release of “Alice, Darling” for Kendrick. In the following year, she only appeared in two films: firstly, the comedy-thriller “Self Reliance”, and secondly, “Trolls Band Together”, where she reprised her role as Queen Poppy. The year 2024 was significant as it was the first time Kendrick took on the director’s chair for her debut feature, the Netflix success “Woman of the Hour”. Notably, she also starred in the critically acclaimed crime thriller that delved into the real-life story of Rodney Alcala, a serial killer who appeared on “The Dating Game” in 1978.

Next on Kendrick’s schedule is collaborating once more with director Paul Feig on an unnamed sequel to their 2018 success, “A Simple Favor.” The cast from the original movie, including Blake Lively, Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, and Bashir Salahuddin, will also rejoin for this upcoming black comedy crime thriller. At present, it’s still in post-production, so a release date has yet to be announced.

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2025-01-02 18:01