Name: The Eternal Daughter
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Released: 2022-12-02T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Joseph Mydell, Carly-Sophia Davies, Louis, Crispin Buxton

The fog rolls in like a silent intruder as Julie and her mother Rosalind arrive at the desolate hotel that was once their family home. This is the eerie opening of Joanna Hogg’s The Eternal Daughter, a film that weaves grief, memory, and the supernatural into a haunting tapestry.

Hogg’s semi-autobiographical work is a slow-burning ghost story that eschews traditional scares in favor of a creeping dread. The hotel, shot on location at Soughton Hall during the COVID-19 lockdown, becomes a character itself—its empty halls and muffled echoes amplifying the loneliness of its guests. Hogg’s direction is deliberate, using long takes and natural light to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and unsettling.

Tilda Swinton delivers a powerhouse performance, embodying both Julie and her elderly mother Rosalind with striking nuance. The double role demands a subtle shift in physicality and voice that Swinton navigates effortlessly. Her portrayal of Julie’s despair is particularly moving, especially in the scene where she breaks down after realizing her mother is gone. Joseph Mydell also stands out as Bill, the hotel employee whose own grief mirrors Julie’s.

The film’s strength lies in its exploration of complex emotions. Hogg doesn’t shy away from the messy realities of motherhood, grief, and regret. The conversation between Julie and Rosalind about a miscarriage is handled with sensitivity, adding depth to their relationship. However, the pacing can feel sluggish at times, and some scenes linger a beat too long without advancing the story.

The twist ending, while thematically resonant, feels familiar. It doesn’t elevate the film’s musings on grief and relationships as much as it could have. The revelation that Julie is alone in her grief is poignant but not entirely unexpected given the film’s buildup.

The Eternal Daughter is a contemplative ghost story that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. It’s a film about loss—both literal and existential—and the haunting presence of the past.