The Eternal Daughter

Story: "The Eternal Daughter" is centered around a filmmaker's attempt to craft a narrative that explores both her own life and that of her mother. To accomplish this, she decides to take her mother to a remote hotel where they can spend quality time together and forge a deeper connection. However, what the filmmaker doesn't know is that this hotel is actually their old family home, which has a dark and haunting history.

Review: At first glance, "The Eternal Daughter" may appear to be a horror film, but it is not. Instead, the movie delves into the journey of a daughter who seeks to understand her past. With its subtle literary elements, the film's message requires attentive viewing. While lacking in action, filmmaker Joanna Hogg masterfully creates a haunting ambiance using gothic techniques, including fog, empty staircases, and a remote hotel, resulting in an intriguing viewing experience. The movie aims to explore the meaning of life and centers around the concept that one must eventually become a parent to their folks to truly comprehend them.

Joanna Hogg and Tilda Swinton's third collaboration, "The Eternal Daughter," is yet another remarkable achievement. While the film's "psychological" undertones may deter die-hard horror enthusiasts, its immersive atmosphere manages to captivate viewers, even during moments of minimal on-screen activity. With a similar focus on the mother-daughter relationship as seen in Hogg's previous work, "The Souvenir," "The Eternal Daughter" can be seen as a spinoff of sorts.

The heart of this drama lies in the intense bond between a mother and daughter. Julie, a filmmaker, decides to explore this connection in her upcoming movie and brings her mother to a remote hotel that was once their family home. However, upon arrival, Julie begins to experience eerie happenings such as creaking sounds and the unsettling sight of an elderly woman watching her through the hotel room window. Despite these unsettling occurrences, life continues for Julie and her mother, Rosalind. As they celebrate Rosalind's birthday at the hotel, an unusual incident takes place.

In "The Eternal Daughter," Tilda Swinton takes on the challenging task of playing both the daughter and the mother and delivers a stunning tour de force performance. Despite playing both roles, Swinton manages to imbue each character with distinctive mannerisms and appearances. It is evident that Swinton saves her best for her collaborations with Joanna Hogg. While she has played double roles in several recent projects, her performance in "The Eternal Daughter" deserves special recognition. Watching Swinton portray two contrasting personalities that seem to be in competition with one another is a sheer delight.

While "The Eternal Daughter" boasts of impeccable performances and nuanced undertones, the slow pace of the film may be a drawback for some viewers. The movie's focus on individual moments rather than events can test one's patience at times. However, the film's brief runtime prevents the slow pace from becoming too tedious. To truly appreciate the movie, one must view it through a different lens, as it is rich with subtle subtext. Executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, the film relies heavily on its outstanding performances, which never falter. If atmospheric and psychological dramas are your preference, "The Eternal Daughter" is a must-watch.