Now that we’ve all had a chance to finally watch the movie, some of us have questions, some of us think Florence Pugh deserves an apology, and some of us (me) are completely blown away by the twisted ending that finally arrived this explains hallucinations and turmoil that Alice – the character of Florence Pugh – experiences throughout the story.
Now I’m about to reveal a massive spoiler (probably the BIGGEST spoiler in the entire storyline) so if you haven’t seen it yet/don’t want to know STOP SCROLLING AND EXIT THIS POST IMMEDIATELY.
Last chance. Stop scrolling now or keep your peace forever!!!
Okay, here it is: Towards the end of the film, it is revealed that Victory is not a real town set in the 1950s-1960s, but is actually a virtual simulation created by Frank (Chris Pine), the town’s cult-like leader. Even wilder, the Victory Project isn’t a company that all the husbands in Victory work for. Rather, it is the simulation initiative that they are all paying to participate in. Alice and all other wives were unknowingly trapped by their husbands in Victory and their memories of their real lives in modern times (!!!) were erased.
This is quite a shock (or at least for me). But if you look closely, there are subtle clues in Don’t Worry Darling that let us know what’s really going on. Here are 14 details that prove all is not as it seems in Victory:
ATTENTION: MORE spoilers ahead!!!
1. As Alice sees the red plane fall from the sky, the plane briefly ripples and distorts, indicating an error in the simulation.
2. In the trolley, just before Alice witnesses the crash of the red plane, there is a sign behind her that reads, “What you see here, what you do here, what you hear here, leave it here.”
3. Deb is constantly pregnant, which becomes more and more suspicious as the story progresses.
In the opening party scene, Nick Kroll’s character Bill yells, “Your pregnant wife is drunk!” at Deb. At first glance, this just seems like REALLY bad parenting.
But after Alice undergoes electroshock therapy and has trouble remembering who Deb is, Bunny tells her “the one who’s always pregnant” to jog her memory. This suggests that Deb’s ongoing pregnancy is part of the simulation and she will likely never give birth (hence she is free to drink without consequences).
4. There is a lot of yellow in the film, especially in some of the wives’ outfits. Take it or go, but that could be a reference to “The Yellow Wallpaper,” a famous feminist short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman that also deals with the female trap.
The most poignant example of this symbolism is when Margaret, the first woman in the film, actually questions the victory project and challenges the status quo, doing so in a yellow dress.
5. When Margaret’s husband Kevin draws the curtain at Frank’s house party to shield her from Alice, we catch a flash of the “real” Alice lying in bed experiencing the simulation.
Blink and you’ll miss it, but it’s definitely there:
6. At Frank’s house party, Alice runs her finger through a miniature model of Victory, a subtle nod to the fact that the city is just a facade. It’s also the route Alice takes to escape to headquarters at the end.
7. There are tons of eye pics all over Victory, which is basically the simulation hiding in a simple place.
8. Speaking of eyes, just before Alice experiences hallucinations — like when the walls come close to cleaning her — she’s often seen rubbing or scratching her eye.
9. There are also many circular images. In fact, the city of Victory is built in a perfect circle, with room for expansion. This reflects the perfection that Frank wants to create in the Victory Project sim, as well as the never-ending monotony of the wives’ time in Victory – always the same, without change or advancement.
10. During the ballet scenes, Shelley and the other women repeat this phrase: “There is beauty in control. There is a grace in the symmetry. We move as one.” This further touches on the “perfection” of the simulation and how the wives in Victory move through their lives in exactly the same way.
11. When Dr. Collins is checking in on Alice at home, he asks Jack, “What are you Brits saying?” But Jack pauses and doesn’t answer.
This is our first hint that Jack isn’t actually British, but chose to be British in the sim. He doesn’t answer because he doesn’t know what Dr. Collins forces himself to answer his own question.
12. Throughout the film, men in red overalls chase and annoy Alice. In the real life flashback/Today, Alice walks past a caretaker in an identical red jumpsuit as she exits the hospital.
This could be a sign that the red jumpsuits are Alice’s subconscious, creating an image that is familiar to her since she first saw it outside of the simulation.
13. When Alice slides onto the floor of the bathtub, Alice’s reflection doesn’t follow her. Instead, it breaks the fourth wall.
14. At Frank’s party at the club, the band on stage is called the Dollhouse Brass Band, a very obvious nod to the fact that Victory is the dollhouse and the residents – especially the wives – are the dolls.
15. Later in the scene, Shelley presents a surprise burlesque dancer to Frank. At one point, the dancer (played by none other than Dita Von Teese!!!) briefly makes eye contact with Alice, letting her know that she is involved in the simulation. This triggers Alice’s breakdown.
16. And finally, when Alice is less aware of the simulation, her wardrobe is bright and vibrant. As she becomes more aware of the simulation, her clothes are simple and muted.
Did I forget details? What do you think of Don’t Worry Darling? Let’s discuss in the comments!
television and films
Get the best moments from pop culture and entertainment delivered to your inbox.