'The Lost Daughter' Review: A grim, immersive portrayal of ugly side of motherhood
Spoilers for 'The Lost Daughter'
It's the end of the year and with it, Netflix brought a bunch of new watches for those who want to bring in the New Year, all cozy and relaxed at home. 'The Lost Daughter' is a psychological drama that's helmed by none other than actress and director Maggie Gyllenhall that's set to come out.
The movie stars Olivia Colman and Dakota Johnson in the lead as Leda and Nina respectively. 'The Lost Daughter' tells the unsettling tale of Leda's fascination with Nina and her young daughter she sees on the beach during her vacation. The stirring up of past memories and the actions that follow form the crux of the story. Read on to know a bit about what happens in the movie and our thoughts on it.
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The movie right of the bat begins on an intriguing note as we see Leda with what looks like a stab wound, walk up to the beach and collapsed, leaving us wondering if she dies or is just unconscious. We are then transported back to the events that happened before that see Leda arrive on the fictional island of Kyopeli in Greece for summer vacation. Also on vacation is another big family of which Nina and her daughter Elena (Athena Martin) are part. Watching the mother-daughter duo's interaction causes Leda to spiral into a vortex of memories.
'The Lost Daughter' draws on the concept of motherhood brilliantly and displays the side that is not all rainbows and giggles. Right from having your life's ambitions cut short, to the exhaustion and helplessness motherhood can bring, the whole scenario has been brilliantly shown. Olivia Colman as per usual gives a stunning performance that has us slip into her consciousness and trauma with her shaken up, far off looks. Dakota Johnson too shines as the young, hassled mom who is navigating motherhood. Jessie Buckley who plays a young Leda was another act to watch out for. Her display of being suffocated, frustrated, and exhausted as a young mother who has her hands way too full was quite frankly amazing and really made you feel for her.
But although full of great performances, the story is where the movie falls short as it seems to be a bit repetitive and drags along. The film which has been adapted from a famed novel may have failed to do it justice, so book readers are the winners here. What you thought would be a mind-bending climax was in all honestly a bit dull. If you choose to ignore this fact, then the movie is a haunting and brilliant depiction of the ugly side of motherhood that has been brought to life by a stellar cast.
'The Lost Daughter' is now streaming on Netflix.
