The Eternal Daughter
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Unique and eerie ghost story studies grief and memories.
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The Eternal Daughter
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What's the Story?
THE ETERNAL DAUGHTER is the story of filmmaker Julie (Tilda Swinton) and her elderly mother Rosalind (also played by Swinton) who set off for a short holiday together to their old family home. It has since been converted into a hotel, though while unrecognizable in the most part, the memories of a life they've shared remain within the walls, and they are memories Julie simply can't shake nor make sense of.
Is It Any Good?
This mystery drama marks another collaboration for auteur Joanna Hogg and her long-standing, childhood friend Swinton, fresh off the back of the success of The Souvenir, Parts One and Two. The Eternal Daughter moves away from the naturalistic approach of the preceding endeavors and into a more supernatural place. Yet despite this, the film remains no less human. It's fascinating to see Hogg delve into a genre piece of this nature, and the inspirations from gothic horrors, notably from Hammer Horror, is prevalent -- especially in the striking score.
However, there is something a little cold about this film. While that can be expected in a movie about a mother and daughter who struggle, at times, to fully connect, in a big, vacant hotel -- there is a lack of emotion for us to invest in. Swinton makes this entirely watchable though, bringing such nuance to both of her roles. It's a remarkable feat that the film is mostly conversations between Julie and her mother Rosalind, and Swinton is playing them both. But the film thrives mainly in its mysterious, elusive edge, posing a number of questions, most of which remain unanswered.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they found The Eternal Daughter scary. How did it differ from other ghost stories you might have seen? What's the appeal of scary movies?
Discuss the relationship between Julie and her mother. How would you describe it?
The film examines grief and how it can affect people. Have you ever lost someone close to you? How did you feel? How to talk to kids about difficult subjects.
Memories are an important theme in the movie. Talk about what memories you have. Are they happy memories, sad, or both?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 2, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: December 2, 2022
- Cast: Tilda Swinton, Carly-Sophia Davies, Joseph Mydell
- Director: Joanna Hogg
- Studio: A24
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: some drug material
- Last updated: January 27, 2023
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