Anna Kendrick’s Struggle with Abuse and Career: Why She Chose to Keep ‘Alice, Darling’ a Secret

Anna Kendrick has candidly shared her journey through a seven-year abusive relationship, a traumatic experience that eventually led her to take a step back from her acting career. In a heartfelt interview on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, the Pitch Perfect star detailed the emotional toll of the relationship, how she navigated the psychological manipulation she faced, and why she ultimately decided she needed to pause her professional life to heal.

A Sudden and Shocking Shift

Kendrick, 39, revealed that her relationship initially felt healthy and loving but changed “overnight” during their seventh year together. The shift, which she described as an “overnight switch,” made it difficult to identify the abuse at first. Unlike many commonly cited patterns of gradual escalation, Kendrick’s experience was marked by abrupt gaslighting and accusations that left her questioning her own reality.

One particularly jarring moment occurred when she was accused of “terrorizing” her partner for crying. “Sometimes the most torturous thing isn’t just the disrespect or mistreatment,” Kendrick explained on the October 23, 2024 episode, “but the fact that everyone’s acting like it’s not happening.” Her ex-partner’s manipulation and ability to portray himself as the victim compounded her confusion and self-blame. In sessions with a couple’s therapist, Kendrick initially felt invalidated, believing she was the problem. However, a breakthrough came when she voiced her anger, leading the therapist to later express pride in her for speaking up—a moment that helped her find the strength to leave.

The Role That Brought Reality into Focus

Just as her relationship was unraveling, Kendrick took on the role of Alice in Alice, Darling, a film that explores emotional abuse and the complexities of breaking free. Filming began shortly after the relationship ended, and Kendrick has described the experience as “retraumatizing.” The character’s journey mirrored her own, forcing her to confront the lingering effects of her past. In a 2024 podcast interview, she admitted, “I thought I was crazy. I thought I was at fault for everything.”

The process of making the film became a form of therapy, allowing Kendrick to channel her pain into her performance. However, it also highlighted the need for her to step away from other projects and focus on her emotional recovery.

A Pause on Work

Following the breakup and the intense filming experience, Kendrick felt the need to halt her career temporarily. While she didn’t explicitly tell her agents at first, she later explained that she avoided mentioning Alice, Darling to them to prevent any discouragement from taking the role. Despite the secrecy, it’s likely that Kendrick eventually communicated her need to take a break, a common practice in the entertainment industry when actors face personal challenges. This hiatus reflected how deeply the trauma had impacted her ability to perform and engage with the demands of Hollywood.

Sharing Her Story to Heal

Since the release of Alice, Darling and her subsequent podcast appearance, Kendrick has been open about her journey, discussing how therapy and sharing her experiences have played a vital role in her healing. She spoke about feeling the need to unburden herself, even to strangers. In one instance, she recalled “trauma dumping” on a plumber, simply because she could no longer “breathe dishonest air.” This level of honesty, though surprising to some, was part of her process of regaining clarity and self-acceptance.

Therapists and mental health professionals have noted the importance of sharing trauma in safe spaces. By opening up, Kendrick has not only helped herself heal but has also shed light on the often-hidden realities of emotional abuse. Her vulnerability offers hope and validation to others facing similar struggles.

Looking Forward

Anna Kendrick’s willingness to speak about her abusive relationship and its aftermath marks a new chapter in her career and personal life. By confronting her past, taking time to recover, and using her platform to raise awareness, she has demonstrated both resilience and courage. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the public eye, healing from trauma takes time—and that taking a break, seeking support, and sharing the truth can be profound steps toward recovery.