Title: Alice in Wonderland
Director: Yuri Khmelnytskyi
Year: 2025
Description:
15-year-old Alice finds herself in Wonderland, where the sun is always high and time is of the essence. Among the locals, she meets her relatives, acquaintances, and friends, but none of them recognize Alice. To her, they’re strangers, and the inhabitants of Wonderland call themselves anti-people. To get back home, Alice must navigate through numerous obstacles and peculiarities.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)I watched this weird mashup after reading plenty of reviews. I had to see it for myself. I’m not a fan of Peresild’s acting style, and neither is her mom. I’d seen Anna in ‘Word of a Gangster’, but her role didn’t impress me, and the series itself didn’t either. I was curious to see what they’d come up with after the good Alice films from Tim Burton. But, as I soon realized, this is more of a film inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)I wouldn’t call this film ‘wonderful’ or interesting. It’s a mess of a story that fails to engage.
Most reviews rave about Peresild’s open mouth and the pink dress... But let’s be real, that’s not even the point. The bigger picture is what really matters.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)The film is modernized, but it feels like every Russian film is made in this style now. It’s all about contemporary people getting transported to another world, rather than the original story. We can’t possibly remake it exactly as it was, especially in these uncertain times. Who would give us permission to adapt a classic work? We have to work with what we’ve got. It’s a shame...
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)🔺️Actors.
The cast is big, and it’s obvious that they’re following the director’s vision. There are so many questions about the characters, but one big question is for the director: why is everything so bleak? The characters are dull, and the acting is subpar.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)Why is The Hatter so grey and unexciting? Where are the fancy costumes? It’s a budget-friendly approach, but it’s just not what I was hoping for.
I’ve got to say, the actor who played The Hatter was pretty meh. He just sat at the table looking bored for half the movie.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)The thing that really got me was why the Rabbit was bald. Fedorov could’ve done so much better, trust me! And to be honest, he didn’t even look like a rabbit in the costume department.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)And then there’s the Butterfly - where’s the surreal charm? Buranov could’ve brought so much more to the role, but I guess he was told to play it straight. They really skimped on the costumes. Just a blue puff jacket and some flying goggles on the actor. At first, I wasn’t even sure what he was supposed to be - a butterfly. Because Buranov in a puffy jacket looks like... Buranov in a puffy jacket.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film) Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)What really got me was how the whole movie was basically one big bullying fest. And I’m not even talking about the Red Queen, I’m talking about the school kids. Why is bullying suddenly a thing in every single movie? I don’t remember that being a thing in Carroll’s original story. The book was a sweet, naive, and educational tale, even if it was a bit psychedelic at times. And the Red Queen wasn’t even that bad. I’m not a huge fan of the Soviet Union, and she’s just everywhere in every show.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)The Cheshire Cat was a total letdown, if I’m being honest. The actor they cast was just so meh, and he didn’t bring any of the character’s essence to the role. I didn’t even recognize it was the Cheshire Cat at first.
The playing card characters and the apple thing completely missed the mark. It wasn’t how I envisioned the interpretation of the deck of cards and the rose.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)Honestly, Alice is completely emotionless. The whole film with one expression on her face. Zero emotions, zero investment in the role!
I’m blown away!
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)She tried to look surprised by everything that was happening to her, but it looked ridiculous. Can’t they have taken another actress who would have brought more emotion to the character?
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)Pirates? They’re basically just filler to make up for the runtime.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)I’m still trying to figure out who thought it was a good idea to put a bunch of pillows at the table.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)🔺️Music and Soundtrack was super one-dimensional. There were a lot of songs and dances, but I didn’t even manage to remember one single theme or melody. Usually, a film has that one iconic song or melody that sticks with you. This one was a total letdown.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)The poetry of Vysotsky... I think Vladimir turned over in his grave, along with Carroll, if you know what I mean. At least he didn’t see it. And that’s a classic.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film) Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)So, after watching this movie, I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth. It’s a mess of a film that fails to impress with its storyline. Although, I have to admit, the beginning was somewhat promising. I even got a bit emotional when the parents came up with the idea to put on this show for their daughter! The costumes were lackluster, the acting was dull, and they butchered the classic tale.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film) Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)The ending... well, you’ve been warned. If you manage to sit through the whole thing, you’ll see what I mean.
I’ve got more questions than answers about this film, and it’s a shame I wasted my time watching it.
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)But where’s the real Alice in Wonderland?
Alice in Wonderland (2025, film) Alice in Wonderland (2025, film) Alice in Wonderland (2025, film)