# Hunting Alice Bell review – this conspiracy theory thriller starring Simon Pegg is a hot mess

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/hunting-alice-bell-review-this-conspiracy-theory-thriller-starring-simon-pegg-is-a-hot-mess/
- Published: 2026-11-11T22:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T23:04:35+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/nov/11/hunting-alice-bell-review-thriller-simon-pegg-alexandra-roach-channel-4
- Topics: Culture

## Key points

- Fran is targeted by an online conspiracy theory.
- The thriller draws partly on the Maxine Carr case.
- Its many themes make for an entertaining but messy drama.

## Summary

Hunting Alice Bell is a six-part Channel 4 thriller about Fran Da Silva, whose life is upended when an online conspiracy theorist claims she is Alice Bell, a woman accused of helping a murderer. The drama explores online mob behaviour, public shaming and the suspicion directed at women linked to terrible crimes, but the review says its many ideas and twists often make it feel muddled.

Alexandra Roach plays Fran, while Simon Pegg appears as the murderous anaesthetist Jason Nash. The series was partly inspired by the story of Maxine Carr, former girlfriend of Ian Huntley; it also follows a group of women accused of being Alice as they attract media attention and become the focus of growing suspicion. The reviewer finds the show punchy and compelling despite its implausibilities, while criticising its heavy-handed themes and uncertain mix of satire, mystery and social drama.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.