Alpha
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Alpha
Alpha (2026), directed by Julia Ducournau, is a body horror drama centered on a 13-year-old girl named Alpha who contracts a mysterious, deadly virus that causes bodies to turn to stone. The film explores themes of illness, addiction, societal fear, and transformation, often through graphic body horror elements. It also features a heroin-addicted uncle and addresses LGBTQ+ themes, including a gay character facing taunts and a broader 'queer vision' from the director. Intended for mature audiences, the movie delves into challenging and unsettling content rather than providing light entertainment, prompting parental caution due to its explicit themes and visuals.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The film includes an openly gay English teacher character who is taunted with a homophobic slur ('you sound faggy') by a student. He is also depicted with a dying partner, fitting a 'sad gay man' trope. The director, Julia Ducournau, describes her worldview as 'queer,' and the film features a 'queer-coded nightclub' scene and was nominated for the Queer Palm at Cannes.
The English teacher, whose name is not specified, is an 'out gay character' who is verbally abused with the slur 'you sound faggy' by a boy. He is shown meeting his dying partner in a clinic. Director Julia Ducournau stated her 'vision of the world is queer.' The film also includes a 'queer-coded nightclub' visited by Alpha and her uncle Amin.
Violence
The movie is described as a 'body horror drama' where a deadly virus causes human bodies to slowly turn to stone, with visuals evoking 'decay and petrification.' Alpha herself contracts the virus through a risky tattoo. The film explores themes of societal fear and quiet cruelty towards the infected.
Romance and Sexual Content
There is a user comment referencing 'a sex scene involving condoms is still upsetting, in light of Alpha's age,' suggesting explicit or strongly implied sexual content, possibly involving the young protagonist. Parental caution is advised, and 'mild nudity or at least sexual themes' are expected.
Profanity
The film includes a homophobic slur used by a student against an openly gay English teacher. This constitutes strong offensive language.
Substance Use
Alpha's uncle, Amin, is explicitly depicted as a heroin addict, with scenes showing 'needle marks.' Alpha herself is exposed to a virus by getting a tattoo with a shared needle, implying risky behavior often associated with environments where substance use may occur.
Scary & Intense Content
The film is categorized as a 'body horror drama' and features a deadly virus that causes human bodies to petrify. It explores themes of fear, illness, and societal marginalization, with visuals reportedly evoking decay and intensely disturbing transformations.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Not recommended for children under 17. The film is described as a body horror drama featuring graphic depictions of a virus that turns bodies to stone, explicit substance use (heroin addiction), homophobic slurs, and implied sexual content involving a young teenager. It has not received an official MPAA rating, but its challenging and intense themes make it unsuitable for younger viewers.
Good to Know
The film is directed by Julia Ducournau, known for her explicit and challenging films. Parents should be aware that this film is not rated by the MPAA and is likely intended for a very mature audience due to its graphic content and challenging themes.
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