It's a very realistic movie, especially the constant intrusive thoughts Alice have of Simon, which display him just randomly popping up on screen even during moments that doesn't seem to be connected or related to what's going on — that's a very realistic artistic concept of what PTSD is like. Simon hasn't been physically abusive, yet; but it usually never goes straight to hitting, it usually starts somewhere else first, before it leads to that. This is the lead-up to before it gets to that point. He's very emotionally and mentally abusive to Alice, but thankfully she has to great friends, Tess and Sophie, who are there for her.