Alice 2022

As Simon grants Alice a rare reprieve, allowing her to spend an evening out with her closest confidantes, Tess and Sophie, at a local bar, it becomes increasingly evident that her mind is elsewhere. Her friends notice the subtle yet telltale signs of distraction - the flinching at each phone ping, the compulsive hair-touching - hinting at a deeper unease beneath Alice’s surface. The evening wears on, with Sophie suggesting they celebrate Tess’ upcoming birthday at her parents’ rustic retreat, an invitation Alice enthusiastically accepts, omitting any mention of Simon from the plans.

The trio embarks on their journey to the secluded cottage, making a brief pit stop at a convenience store where Alice’s gaze lingers on a flyer featuring Andrea, a missing person whose case seems to have captivated her imagination. As they arrive at the lakeside retreat, it becomes clear that the allure of this tranquil setting is only temporary, as Alice’s thoughts remain fixated on Simon and the secrets she’s hiding.

Simon, sensing something amiss, tracks down Alice’s location through her emails and phone calls, demanding she return to him forthwith. Alice reluctantly packs up to leave, but Tess and Sophie intervene, concealing her belongings and feigning a trip to the store as an excuse for Alice and Tess to bond over some quality time together. As they spend their days lounging by the lake, Simon’s absence seems to beget a newfound sense of freedom, but also fuels Alice’s growing unease.

A pivotal moment arrives when Tess attempts to teach Alice how to paddleboard on the serene waters, only for Alice to lose her earring - a gift from Simon - in the process. Panic sets in as she frantically searches the lake floor, finally surrendering to despair and muttering under her breath that she “can’t do another thing wrong.” Tess’s probing questions prompt an argument between the two women, leading Alice to confess that she’s been hiding their vacation plans from Simon. As the tension dissipates, Alice decides against leaving, opting instead to join the search party for Andrea the next morning.

As they scour the countryside, it is at a dilapidated cottage on the outskirts of town that Alice discovers what appears to be Andrea’s lipstick, her imagination running wild with possibilities.

As the women return to their cozy cottage, they embark on a journey of rediscovery, rekindling the bonds of their friendship and sharing moments of laughter and vulnerability. Alice begins to open up about her tumultuous relationship with Simon, candidly revealing that while he never physically harmed her, he subjected her to emotional abuse that slowly eroded her sense of self-worth. With a newfound sense of liberation, Alice stops responding to Simon’s persistent messages, prompting him to make an unannounced visit bearing grocery bags as a misguided attempt at reconciliation.

That evening, the atmosphere is tense and charged as Simon produces a newspaper revealing the discovery of the missing girl’s body. Alice responds by applying her lipstick with deliberate intention, making a pointed statement about the case. Simon, however, attempts to dismiss her thoughts with condescending arrogance, further heightening the already palpable tension.

The following morning, Alice makes a surprising decision, packing her belongings and departing the cottage without warning her friends. As she sets out on the main road, Simon appears in his car, only to intentionally slow down at an intersection, allowing a procession of cyclists to pass. Sophie, who has been tracking them, catches up and uses a maul to shatter the back windshield of Simon’s vehicle. Alice exits the car, locking eyes with her friend in a silent understanding that she will not be returning to Simon’s clutches. When Simon demands she rejoin him, Alice firmly declines, and Tess intervenes, physically blocking his path before he reluctantly relinquishes his grip.

As the dust settles, Alice finds herself back on the water, this time riding a paddleboard with a sense of freedom and liberation. With a bold splash, she dives into the lake, symbolizing her release from the toxic grasp of Simon and her emergence as a stronger, more empowered individual.