Alpha (2025): Cast & Ratings
Alpha is a 2025 drama horror film directed by Julia Ducournau, starring Mélissa Boros as Alpha, Golshifteh Farahani and Finnegan Oldfield. It runs 2 hours 8 minutes. IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 8m (128 min)
- Director
- Julia Ducournau
- Original language
-
French
- Studio
- Mandarin & Compagnie
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Alpha About?
The premise of Alpha without spoilers.
When 13‑year‑old Alpha returns home from a party with a self‑inflicted tattoo, everything spirals out of control. Her mother fears Alpha contracted a mysterious virus from a dirty needle—one no one dares discuss, yet everyone believes it is a death sentence.
Alpha Cast & Characters
Mélissa Boros leads the cast as Alpha, with Golshifteh Farahani as Maman and Finnegan Oldfield as Professeur d'anglais. Directed by Julia Ducournau; 13 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Julia Ducournau
- Mélissa Boros as Alpha
-
Golshifteh Farahani as Maman -
Finnegan Oldfield as Professeur d'anglais -
Tahar Rahim as Amin
Also Starring in Alpha
· 9 more- Emma Mackey Infirmière
- Jean-Charles Clichet
- Fabien Giameluca Resident of a neighborhood in the 1990s (uncredited)
- Louai El Amrousy Adrien
- Christophe Perez
- Rose Harlean A punk (uncredited)
- Ambrine Trigo Ouaked Alpha (5 years old)
- Julien Spitéri Tatoueur
- Ninon Le Henry Fille Classe/Piscine
Alpha Reviews & Ratings
IMDb users rate Alpha 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 38/100, strongest in character & emotion (60) and weakest in sensory experience (35).
Alpha Echo Score Breakdown
Alpha presents a starkly divided experience, with its ambitious vision often eclipsed by uneven execution. Critics note moments of visual daring yet frequently describe the film as sluggish, noisy, or overly pretentious. While the cast delivers occasional intensity, the narrative is widely regarded as shallow and confusing. The cumulative effect is a work that struggles to sustain engagement, limiting its appeal beyond a single viewing. Consequently, the film earns a modest overall rating.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
Regarding art and craft, Alpha showcases moments of striking composition and a bold visual palette that signal Ducournau’s distinctive style. However, many reviewers criticize the film’s aesthetic choices as inconsistent, describing the cinematography and editing as noisy, sluggish, and lacking cohesion. The overall craftsmanship thus feels uneven, undermining the intended impact.
- Character & Emotion 60
When evaluating character and emotion, the performances receive mixed acknowledgment. The ensemble delivers occasional intensity, with some actors praised for nuanced and mesmerizing portrayals that heighten the film’s emotional charge. Conversely, critics point to a pervasive shallowness in character development and an absence of lasting emotional resonance, resulting in a fragmented emotional core.
- Story & Flow 45
In terms of story and flow, Alpha aspires to a bold exploration of trauma but is widely described as disjointed and confusing. Critics highlight a sluggish pace, repetitive structures, and an underdeveloped allegory that render the narrative shallow. These narrative shortcomings impede engagement, leaving the plot feeling unconvincing and uneven.
- Sensory Experience 35
Regarding sensory experience, the film’s sound design and visual style receive criticism for being noisy and pretentious, with many reviewers finding the overall aesthetic dry and lacking cohesion. While a few note occasional imaginative visual moments, the dominant impression is that the sensory elements fail to enhance the narrative.
- Rewatch Factor 40
The rewatch factor for Alpha is limited, as most critics describe the film as exhausting and unrewarding, with few elements that invite repeated viewings. Though some note its thought‑provoking intent, the pervasive unevenness and lack of lasting appeal diminish its replay value.
-
IMDb 5.9 /10
4114 votes
-
TMDB 62% User score
See on TMDB
Alpha Trailers & Videos
11 videos: 2 trailers, 4 teasers, 1 clip and 4 featurettes.
- Trailer Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
- Teaser Official Teaser Trailer [Subtitled]
- Teaser Julia Ducournau's Genre-Defying film ALPHA is coming to cinemas 14 November. [Subtitled]
- Teaser The New Haunting Film by Julia Ducournau ALPHA is Coming to Cinemas 14 November [Subtitled]
Alpha Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “阿尔法” and “알파”.
- Also known as
-
- 阿尔法
- 알파
- Альфа
- 石殞
- 殞愛
Seen Alpha?
Alpha FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Alpha, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Alpha?
Alpha runs 2 hours 8 minutes (128 minutes).
When was Alpha released?
Alpha was released on May 19, 2025.
Who directed Alpha?
Alpha was directed by Julia Ducournau.
More films by Julia Ducournau Who is in the cast of Alpha?
Alpha stars Mélissa Boros as Alpha, Golshifteh Farahani as Maman and Finnegan Oldfield as Professeur d'anglais, among 13 credited actors.
How is Alpha rated?
Alpha has 5.9/10 on IMDb and 62% on TMDB.
Does Alpha have a post-credit scene?
No. Alpha has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Alpha in?
The original language of Alpha is French.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
