The Lost Daughter

94%

Tomatometer

237 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Alone on a seaside vacation, Leda becomes consumed with a young mother and daughter as she watches them on the beach. Unnerved by their compelling relationship, (and their raucous and menacing extended family), Leda is overwhelmed by her own memories of the terror, confusion and intensity of early motherhood. An impulsive act shocks Leda into the strange and ominous world of her own mind, where she is forced to face the unconventional choices she made as a young mother and their consequences.

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Critics Consensus

A strikingly assured debut for writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter unites a brilliant cast in service of a daringly ambitious story.

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Audience Says

It includes great acting and some really intense moments, but overall, The Lost Daughter is dull and difficult to follow.

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Critics Reviews

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

An excellent, embodied turn from Olivia Colman is no huge surprise these days, but she is particularly magnetic here, in a part that leaves room for interpretation.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 23, 2024

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Caryn James

BBC.com

Colman can make Leda simply driving a car seem dramatic, as the expression on her face quietly captures the emotional turmoil she tries so hard to contain. And Gyllenhaal can turn an image of rotting fruit into a jump-scare.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 25, 2022

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is a fine, unsettling film about the cost of the choices we make.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 8, 2022

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Yasmine Kandil

Discussing Film

To some regret, the first act of the film is drawn out exposition with no real insight as to where the plot could be headed. However, when it does find its rhythm, it is almost addictive in a way.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2024

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

“The Lost Daughter” is one of the best films in 2021 because it shows us a story of an imperfect, often annoying and reckless protagonist, but makes viewers get invested in her story even when she commits unlikable acts.

Jun 10, 2024

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Nadine Whitney

Mr. Movie's Film Blog

If one is willing to make the effort to embrace the fractured nature of the protagonist, The Lost Daughter is a puzzle that, although not entirely solvable, is rich in its complexities.

Rated: A

Sep 17, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Craig G I'm sure there's a plot somewhere in the movie. When you find it, please tell me. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/15/24 Full Review Joy G I adore this movie. The acting is stellar from Jesse Buckley and Coleman in particular. It’s a study of life and behavior, just sit back and enjoy a harrowing but moving experience. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/28/24 Full Review Iamwhoi M Watched this after seeing the reviews. I fall squarely on the boring, pointless side. The young mother immediately having a fixation on the older woman was just weird. We're told the people "aren't good people," which goes nowhere. I guess it's generational torture of having kids that is the point. I'd write some more; but I just don't care. Pass. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Julian P Just to watch Olivia Coleman squeeze the most out of this complex role is enough to warrant a viewing but the way the plot unfolds is exciting and breeds tension. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Aspen S Sorry fell asleep that was so dull ,the most exited thing was a worm crawling out of a dolls mouth .What exactly was the point Rated 1/5 Stars • Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/08/24 Full Review Peter K Great acting by Olivia Colman but plot seems to wander snd left me with more questions than answers. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Maggie Gyllenhaal Director Olivia Colman Leda Dakota Johnson Nina Peter Sarsgaard Profesor Hardy Jessie Buckley Young Leda Paul Mescal Will

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