‘Alice in Terrorland’ DVD Review

Stars: Lizzie Willis, Rula Lenska, Steve Wraith, Jon-Paul Gates, Nigel Troup, Rikki Kimpton, Lila Sarner, Nikol Atanasova | Written and Directed by Richard John Taylor

Considering he has already released three films in 2023, writer/director Richard John Taylor (Haunting of Pendle Hill, Huntress of Auschwitz) continues his busy streak with this take on Alice In Wonderland. His latest work, Alice in Terrorland, opens on a house engulfed in fire while a terrified girl cowers in the corner. As the tragedy leaves Alice (Lizzie Willis) orphaned, she is sent to live with her estranged grandmother, Beth (Rula Lenska).

Arriving at their spacious family home, Alice is awestruck by the old building that is named Wonderland after Lewis Carroll’s iconic book. Beth shares a warning to stay out of the woods, although this does not stop her granddaughter from being terrorized by mysterious figures or disappearing down a horrific rabbit hole.

What kept Beth apart from her family for so long? That question lingers throughout Alice In Terrorland, although taking priority is the blurring between reality and imagination for the lead. This is emphasized through sudden cuts between Beth reading Carroll’s book and their realisations, bringing alive figures like the Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, and Mad Hatter in gritty ways. While it is curious to see how such fantastical figures are adapted, there is unfortunately little else of interest.

While the cast do admirably to bring alive these takes on iconic characters, there is only so much that can be done with this material. The dark colour palette and overbearing shadows dull Wonderland’s look in ways further emphasized by the overused slow-motion, shining a metaphorical light on how drab it all looks. While this direction likely works within the small budget, it is unfortunately ill-fitting for such a boring take on a fantastical source material.

*½  1.5/5

Alice in Terrorland will be released on DVD in the UK on December 25th.