A still from ‘Alpha’
| Photo Credit: Neon
The first teaser trailer for Alpha, Julia Ducournau’s latest feature, has been released ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The film screened in the festival’s main competition, marking Ducournau’s return to Cannes after winning the Palme d’Or in 2021 with Titane.The film stunned audiences at its festival premiere, earning a 12-minute standing ovation following its Competition debut. The emotional response came despite a brief mid-screening disruption, when a few audience members shouted for the film to stop. Afterward, Ducournau thanked her cast and crew, saying they had “all put a lot into the film.”

Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau returns to @Festival_Cannes with ALPHA and stars Golshifteh Farahani, Tahar Rahim, Mélissa Boros, Finnegan Oldfield & Emma Mackey ahead of a 12-minute standing ovation. #Cannes2025pic.twitter.com/xlvS5hXkNn— NEON (@neonrated) May 20, 2025

Set in the 1980s and ’90s, Alpha follows a 13-year-old girl, who lives with her single mother, portrayed by Golshifteh Farahani, whose life unravels after returning home with a tattoo. The film also stars Tahar Rahim, Emma Mackey, Finnegan Oldfield, and Louai El Amrousy.Produced by Jean des Forêts and Amelie Jacquis of Petit Film, along with Eric and Nicolas Altmayer of Mandarin & Compagnie, Alpha is co-produced by Frakas Productions. North American distribution is being handled by Neon, who also distributed Ducournau’s Titane, while international sales are managed by Charades and FilmNation Entertainment.Known for her genre-defying and visceral storytelling, Ducournau is once again blending psychological drama with body horror elements. The early buzz from Cannes places Alpha as one of the festival’s more talked-about competition titles.Alpha is expected to hit U.S. theaters this October, following its Cannes debut. Published – May 20, 2025 01:39 pm IST