Hunting Alice Bell review – this conspiracy theory thriller starring Simon Pegg is a hot mess
Channel 4's new six-part drama 'Hunting Alice Bell' explores the dangers of online vigilantism and conspiracy theories, following a woman falsely accused of being a criminal mastermind.
The series begins with a woman convicted of aiding and abetting Jason Nash (Simon Pegg), a murderous anaesthetist and her former boyfriend. Upon her release, she's given a new identity after being smuggled out of prison as a decoy. Several years later, Fran Da Silva (Alexandra Roach)'s life is turned upside down when a brick crashes through her window window and she becomes the target of an online campaign orchestrated by someone calling himself True Crime Buster.
Online Vigilantism
The online orchestrator falsely identifies Fran as Alice Bell, leading to her being ostracized at work and her children being bullied at school. Social services intervene, removing the family's infant daughter to live with her grandmother. The campaign against Da Silva represents the dangerous power of online vigilantism and mob mentality in the digital age.
He's a transparent grifter, superpowered by attention. He argues for the public's right to know certain facts while simultaneously proving precisely why they can't be trusted with them.
Police Ambiguity
The police's role in the narrative remains ambiguous. The family doesn't contact authorities until their home is surrounded by masked vigilantes. The introduction of a potentially far-fetched conspiracy theory involving officer Graham Hunter (Ralf Little) is criticized as a category error that distracts from the show's central theme.
Support Group
Fran discovers she's not the only woman accused of being Alice Bell. The women form a support group, beginning meetings by solemnly stating "I am not Alice Bell." They become a cause célèbre, invited to conferences and media appearances, but speculation mounts about whether everyone in the group is telling the truth.
The series struggles with its identity, attempting to be a study in modern manners, a whodunnit, and a social satire simultaneously. While it occasionally feels messy and heavy-handed in its messaging about manosphere and incel culture, it finds its footing as a twisty thriller exploring whether the "Not Alice Bells" can clear their names while staying friends.
Lynch Mob Culture
The series cleverly uses viewers' confirmation bias against them in its conclusion. While the hunt for Alice Bell drives the plot, the real focus is on examining the lynch mob culture that enables such accusations. The drama suggests that many people are only a few clicks away from participating in such mob behavior themselves, making it a relevant commentary on contemporary society.
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