Watch Alexandra's Project

Alexandra's Project is a psychological thriller movie directed by Rolf de Heer and released in 2003. The movie follows the story of Steve (Gary Sweet), a successful engineer who returns home on his 35th birthday to a surprise party organized by his wife Alexandra (Helen Buday). But Steve's excitement quickly turns into confusion and distress as he realizes that Alexandra has not only prepared a peculiar party but also a disturbing and unpredictable movie that she has recorded for him.

As Steve watches the movie, he is forced to confront his flaws and failures as a husband, father, and human being. Alexandra's Project takes us through a series of flashbacks and dream sequences that reveal the toxic dynamics of Steve's relationship with his wife and children. The movie is shot in a highly stylized and claustrophobic way, with the camera often focusing on Steve's facial expressions and psychological breakdown.

The tension builds up throughout the movie as Steve's situation becomes increasingly unbearable. He finds himself trapped in his own house, surrounded by anonymous and hostile voices on the phone, and confronted with the realization that he has lost control of his life. As Steve struggles to make sense of Alexandra's motives, the movie becomes a commentary on the fragility of relationships, the hidden tensions beneath domestic life, and the dangers of repressed emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of Alexandra's Project is the way it subverts traditional gender roles and expectations. Alexandra is portrayed as a woman who is tired of the mundane routine of domestic life and who is seeking a way to break free from it. She is depicted as a strong and complex character who refuses to be defined by her husband's expectations of her. Steve, on the other hand, is portrayed as a man who is struggling to come to terms with his own weaknesses and insecurities.

The movie also explores themes of surveillance, control, and power. Alexandra's Project can be seen as a critique of the surveillance society that we live in, where the boundaries between public and private are increasingly eroded. Alexandra takes control of Steve's life by using cameras, tapes, and messages, and by turning his own house into a prison. The movie shows how easily we can lose our freedom and privacy and how important it is to maintain a sense of agency and autonomy.

Gary Sweet delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Steve, capturing the character's vulnerability, confusion, and despair. Helen Buday is equally impressive as Alexandra, conveying a sense of mystery, danger, and desperation. The supporting cast, including Bogdan Koca as the mysterious pizza delivery man, also adds depth and complexity to the movie.

Overall, Alexandra's Project is a thought-provoking and disturbing movie that challenges our beliefs and assumptions about relationships and power dynamics. Its unconventional narrative style, cinematography, and themes make it an unforgettable viewing experience that will stay with the audience long after the credits roll.