Thousands of people claim to have been visited or abducted by extraterrestrials. But is there any truth to these claims? Do aliens really exist? Or are these encounters with visitors from outer space merely our minds playing tricks on us? These questions lie at the heart of writer-director Anthony Columbus’s new short film, Alice and the Little Green Men. The film delves into alien abduction, false memories, and the human psyche. Prepare to have your perceptions shattered as it plunges you into an abyss of paranoia and existential dread.
The film follows Joan, a researcher investigating the phenomenon of false memories. Her focus is on individuals who claim to have been abducted by aliens and can recount vivid details of their encounters. Her quest to uncover the truth leads her to Alice Bell and her husband Will, devout members of the Church With the Sacred Light, a religious group that believes in and worships extraterrestrials. Through her faith, Alice believes that she has been chosen as a vessel to carry the truth, and because of this, Alice alleges that she has been abducted over 100 times.
To investigate Alice’s claims, Joan sets up equipment to monitor her brainwaves and record any environmental anomalies during the night. However, as darkness falls, Joan finds herself thrust into a situation far more complex and sinister than she could have imagined.
Alice and the Little Green Men skillfully manipulates the viewer’s expectations, transforming from an alien abduction story into a psychological thriller that explores the dangerous territory where faith, delusion, and reality intersect.
Columbus’s direction shines in its ability to continually subvert expectations. Just when viewers think they’ve figured out the nature of the threat, the film pivots, introducing new elements that force a re-evaluation of everything that’s come before. The transformation from alien abduction narrative to cult thriller is particularly jarring, ramping up the tension to unexpected levels.
Anchoring the film’s descent into madness is Alice Skok’s performance as Joan Weaver. Skok imbues the researcher with a ferocious determination to uncover the truth at any cost, even as the night’s events careen wildly out of control. As Joan grapples with her better judgment in the face of mounting danger, Skok’s performance keeps the audience invested in her fate, heightening the film’s tension and emotional impact.
Equally impressive is Ashley Beloat’s compelling performance as Alice Bell. Beloat brings a haunting naïveté to the character, infusing Alice with an unsettling blend of childlike wonder and unwavering conviction. Her portrayal casts a shadow of doubt over Alice’s credibility, leaving the audience to grapple with the question of whether she’s a true believer or a pawn in a bigger game.
As the story unfolds, Beloat skillfully peels back layers of Alice’s psyche, revealing glimpses of vulnerability beneath her exterior. This multifaceted portrayal adds depth to the character, making Alice more than just a one-dimensional character. Instead, she becomes a tragic figure, trapped in a web of manipulation and self-deception.
The film’s atmospheric cinematography and haunting score complement Columbus’s masterful direction. The visual and auditory elements work in tandem to create an oppressive sense of dread that permeates the entire viewing experience.
The final act of Alice and the Little Green Men is a tour de force, bringing together all the carefully laid threads of the story into a shocking conclusion. It’s here that the true nature of the film’s opening scenes becomes clear, rewarding attentive viewers and encouraging repeated viewings to catch all the subtle foreshadowing.
Alice and the Little Green Men is an intelligent thriller that uses the tropes of alien abduction stories to explore deeper themes of belief, perception, and the malleability of truth. Columbus has crafted a film that not only entertains but also challenges viewers, prompting introspection and discussion. It’s a worthy addition to the psychological horror genre, demonstrating that sometimes the most terrifying things out there are the people closest to us.
The film has already garnered significant recognition on the festival circuit. It was nominated for “Best Thriller” at the 2024 HollyShorts Film Festival on August 16. Additionally, on August 25, Alice and the Little Green Men won the “Audience Choice: Best Drama” award at the 2024 Playhouse West Film Festival.
For those eager to stay updated on the film’s announcements and future screenings, be sure to follow the cast and crew on their respective Instagram accounts:
Director Anthony Columbus: @directoranthonycolumbus
Ashley Beloat: @ashleybeloat
Alice Skok: @aliceskok
Connor Wilkins: @connorwilkinsta
Eric Charles Jorgenson: @ericcharlesjorgenson
Askytale Pictures: @askytalepictures
As the film continues to make waves on the festival circuit, Horror Facts will be sure to keep its readers informed of when and how they can experience this intelligent, boundary-pushing psychological thriller for themselves.
