Starting a review of The Lost Daughter begs the question of where to place the spotlight first. Should it be on Maggie Gyllenhaal, whose debut as a director is among the sharpest and most focused I’ve seen in years? Or perhaps Olivia Colman (The Favourite, Empire of Light), who delivers another Oscar-worthy performance that just might deserve the win? Then there’s Jessie Buckley (Men, Fingernails), who takes on the challenging task of bringing depth to a character seen mostly in flashbacks. Each brings something essential to the film’s haunting impact.
To place The Lost Daughter in the landscape of 2021 films, it’s useful to compare it to The Power of the Dog (dir. Jane Campion). Both films feature stunning cinematography that frames their protagonists as isolated figures, subtly entangled in the lives of others. While The Power of the Dog explores themes of masculinity and solitude, The Lost Daughter finds its focus in parenting and self-reflection. From the beginning, we see that Leda isn’t a perfect parent; however, the movie gradually reveals the experiences and choices that led her to this moment, offering a nuanced portrayal of growth and regret.
This raises an important question: how many directorial debuts show this level of care and understanding? In 2021, I could only think of Stephen Karam (The Humans) and Michael Sarnoski (Pig). While I might personally prefer The Humans and Pig, mainly because they felt more visceral, neither felt as conceptual or articulate as The Lost Daughter. I was completely captivated by the first 45 minutes and the final 45 minutes of this film, each offering a profound and engaging experience.
If I had any complaints about The Lost Daughter, it would be with the middle portion of the film. While I loved Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of young Leda, I wished the production had allowed her more freedom to fully explore the character. She nailed every scene, and I believe a more prominent role for her throughout the film could have made it even stronger.
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Overall, I’m really glad The Lost Daughter was one of the last films I saw in 2021. It’s one of my favorites of the year, and I believe it’s a film that invites multiple rewatches. Olivia Colman is absolutely outstanding in it. Yes, it’s a bit insular, but it has just the right mix of style and precision that I appreciate. I’m hopeful that Maggie Gyllenhaal will continue to make films like this if she keeps directing.
Score: 7/10
The Lost Daughter (2021)
- Cast: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Ed Harris, Paul Mescal, Peter Sarsgaard, Alba Rohrwacher
- Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 121 minutes
- Rated: R
- Release Date: December 31, 2021
- Movies Like The Lost Daughter: Old, Aftersun, The Florida Project
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