First Look: Julia Ducournau’s Mysterious Coming-of-Age Thriller Alpha Premieres at Cannes

Acclaimed French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, known for her genre-bending and visceral storytelling in Titane and Raw, returns to the spotlight with her latest film Alpha — a dark, enigmatic coming-of-age thriller that has just premiered its first look teaser courtesy of Neon. The film is currently making its debut at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, screening in the prestigious Main Competition category.

Alpha follows the unsettling journey of a troubled 13-year-old girl, played by newcomer Mélissa Boros, who lives with her single mother, portrayed by Golshifteh Farahani. The duo’s already fragile world begins to unravel the day the girl comes home from school with a mysterious tattoo on her arm — a seemingly small act that triggers a deeper and darker transformation. As the teaser suggests, the film will explore themes of identity, rebellion, maternal bonds, and the murky edges of adolescence — all hallmarks of Ducournau’s bold cinematic voice.

The film also stars Tahar Rahim, Emma Mackey, and Finnegan Oldfield, rounding out an impressive cast that promises to deliver emotionally layered performances. Ducournau, who won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2021 for Titane, is once again diving into psychological and physical metamorphosis — this time set against the backdrop of a strained mother-daughter relationship.

Produced by Neon, which continues its reputation for backing genre-defying auteur-driven cinema, Alpha is already drawing buzz on the Croisette for its unsettling tone and visually provocative aesthetic. With the teaser offering just a glimpse into the film’s eerie atmosphere and unanswered questions, expectations are high for another daring entry in Ducournau’s expanding body of work.

Following its premiere at Cannes, Alpha is set for a limited theatrical release in the United States later in 2025, courtesy of Neon. If the teaser is any indication, Alpha will likely spark conversation — and perhaps controversy — with its unflinching exploration of the boundaries between adolescence and transformation, innocence and danger.