'Alice Sweet Alice' is still surprisingly under the radar for many horror movie fans these days. That may be due to its relative unavailability on home video but thankfully in the modern age, it seems that no movie is lost forever. Directed by Alfred Sole, the film tells the story of a young girl named Alice (Paula Shepperd) who shows jealousy and resentment towards her younger sister (Brooke Shields) and mother (Linda Miller). When Alice's sister is murdered during her first communion, suspicion immediately falls on her. However, as the clues begin to pile up can Alice truly be blamed? The director states on the audio commentary that he was inspired by the critically acclaimed film 'Don't Look Now' a few years prior. That film also had a masked killer in a raincoat and was also an homage to the Italian Giallo film. For those who don't know, the term is used for a specific type of horror mystery, with its own specific style and pacing. In simple terms, it's similar to the slasher films of the 1980's such as 'Friday the 13th'.
With 'Alice Sweet Alice' I'm not sure this was the best angle to take given its story. In most Giallo films, every character is depicted as sleazy or otherwise unpleasant in order to throw off the viewer and keep the ultimate reveal of the killer a secret. In this film, there can only be so many suspects besides Alice given her size and very specific costume. Other than her estranged father, everybody in this flick is so horrible to Alice or just outright horrible people to everyone for seemingly no reason other than Alfred Sole felt some form of anger when writing the script. Although this may have some truth to it as the film has a very blunt and negative view of the Catholic Church and it's more corrupted aspects. The film depicts a killer who connects their motive for killing to the church which on its own isn't the best endorsement. The overall film is a bleak and miserable experience, but in the best way I think. As a horror film it certainly has that unsettling creepy feel to it although if you're looking for much gore or nudity this one isn't for you. As far as the killer's look goes, it definitely freaky but also so simple in its design you'd wonder why no one else thought of it.
Strange enough, the film being a period piece (mid 60's) even brings a suspenseful and creepy feeling to everything. The old furniture, dolls, churches, and more it feels almost as if one was walking through abandoned or haunted houses/buildings. The music plays into the gloomy nature as well with haunting echoes of children along with the eerie strings and harpsichord that almost gives the movie a sound similar to Bernard Hermann's 'Psycho'. 'Alice Sweet Alice' is certainly not for everyone thanks to its slow pace and small body count but there is something truly uncomfortable and hypnotic about it that makes it so memorable even today. I recommend at least one watch to get it off your horror bucket list.
4/5
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