Some films are intended to amuse you, whereas with others you find yourself thinking about them well after the credits have finished. Luckiest Girl Alive, which is now available on Netflix, is one of the latter type. It is adapted from Jessica Knoll’s best-selling 2015 novel of the same name and is a psychological drama that examines trauma, survival, identity, and the emotional weight of keeping painful memories beneath the surface of a perfect life.
The story centres on Ani FaNelli, portrayed by Mila Kunis, a successful magazine editor in New York whose apparently perfect life begins to fall apart when she has to confront distressing incidents from her teenage years. While the narrative alternates between the present and the past, viewers slowly learn about the experiences that have made her the confident yet emotionally reserved woman she is today.
Mila Kunis gives one of the most powerful performances of her career; she presents the character Ani with great self-control, managing her ambition, vulnerability and emotional conflicts without ever becoming dramatic. Just as impressive is Chiara Aurelia, who brings authenticity and emotional depth to the younger Ani, making the shift between the two time periods feel smooth and believable.
Director Mike Barker treats difficult topics such as bullying, sexual assault, victim blaming and school violence with sensitivity rather than sensationalism. The film raises uncomfortable yet important questions regarding trauma, silence and the pressure that many survivors experience to protect other people rather than speak their own truth. Instead of providing simple solutions, it prompts viewers to think about the long-term psychological effects of abuse and the courage needed to regain their voice.
A major strength of the film is its script, which was written by Jessica Knoll. Since she adapted her own novel, Knoll has retained much of the emotional depth that contributed to the book’s status as a bestseller. The dialogue comes across as sincere, and Ani’s internal monologue effectively conveys the contrast between the careful image she presents to the world and the turmoil she keeps hidden.
Even though the film at times seems to be moving too quickly since it is trying to turn the complex novel into a two-hour length, it always stays focused on its emotional heart. While a few of the supporting characters might have been given more development, the central performances keep the story interesting right through to the end.
Even though it has some suspense, Lucky Girl Alive is not a typical thriller; it is rather a psychological drama focusing on healing, the truth, and the long-term effects of unresolved trauma. It can be a difficult film at times, but it is also important.
About the Author
Jessica Knoll is an American novelist, screenwriter and former editor of a magazine. The book Luckiest Girl Alive, published in 2015, became an international bestseller, establishing her as one of the foremost contemporary authors of psychological fiction. She also adapted the novel into a screenplay for Netflix, ensuring the film stayed true to the emotional themes and character development that had made the book appeal to millions of readers around the world.