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The Eternal Daughter

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The Eternal Daughter

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Summary

Gothic drama starring Tilda Swinton. Film-maker Julie and her elderly mother Rosalind check into an imposing hotel in the countryside where the latter's family lived during during the Blitz. Julie secretly records her mother's memories of that time for a possible film project, but becomes increasingly unsettled by their stay in this eerie location.

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Emma Simmonds

British writer/director Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir) filters upper middle-class social awkwardness through the prism of a gothic ghost story for this beautifully shot horror film. It's a narratively light but intriguing tale centred on film-maker Julie Hart and her elderly mother Rosalind (both played by Tilda Swinton, Hogg's regular collaborator and childhood friend). The pair take a trip to a secluded Welsh hotel, where Rosalind stayed as a child during the Second World War, but which holds more painful memories for her than Julie realises. Julie's anxiety is enhanced by the eeriness of the location, and she struggles to sleep, tangles with a spiky receptionist (Carly-Sophia Davies) and fails to get started on a new project, all while trying to please her mother in increasingly desperate ways. The Eternal Daughter is anchored by a lovely dual turn from Swinton, who conjures two very distinct characters and effectively portrays the fondness and frustration that exists between them. It is a tremendously atmospheric and ultimately sad film, with compelling shades of Hitchcock and Jack Clayton's The Innocents.

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5.9/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameJulie / RosalindTilda SwintonBill, night porterJoseph MydellHotel receptionistCarly-Sophia DaviesMini-cab driverAugust Joshi

Crew

rolenameDirectorJoanna Hogg

Details

Theatrical distributor

BFI

Released on

2023-11-24

Languages

English

Formats

Colour

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