Four years after winning the Palme d’Or for Titane, Julia Ducournau debuted her latest Cannes Film Festival Competition entry Alpha.

Titane” director Julia Ducournau made a triumphant return to Cannes Monday evening with her follow-up “Alpha,” a mother-daughter infection thriller that earned a thunderous 11.5-minute ovation after its premiere - one of the most glowing in-person receptions thus far at this year’s film festival.

All credit to a newly minted Palme d'Or-winner for having the courage to step out of their comfort zone, but "Alpha" is an insufferable misfire.