Reviews: Lost Girls (2020) Movie Review
Genres: Thriller, Drama, Mystery, Crime
Subgenres:
HellHorror’s review of Lost Girls (2020) breaks down the plot, scares, cast performances, and its lasting impact on the horror genre.
Lost Girls is a Netflix true crime drama based on real-life events surrounding the Long Island serial killer case. Directed by Liz Garbus, the film follows Mari Gilbert (Amy Ryan), a desperate mother searching for her missing daughter, Shannan, who vanishes after making a 911 call from a wealthy gated community. As Mari fights against police negligence and societal indifference, she uncovers a deeper web of unsolved murders involving s** workers, highlighting the failures of law enforcement in protecting marginalized women.
Lost Girls (2020) – A Haunting True Crime Drama with Emotional Depth
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The film delves into themes of grief, justice, class disparity, and systemic failure. It doesn’t sensationalize the crimes but instead focuses on a mother’s relentless pursuit of the truth, making it more of an emotional drama than a typical crime thriller.
Acting and Cinematography
Amy Ryan delivers a powerful, emotionally raw performance as Mari, portraying her frustration, resilience, and sorrow with authenticity. She dominates the screen with a fierce, unrelenting presence, making the audience fully invested in her struggle.
The supporting cast, including Gabriel Byrne as the indifferent police commissioner, Thomasin McKenzie as one of Mari’s younger daughters, and Lola Kirke as a fellow victim’s sister, further enrich the film. Each performance feels grounded and authentic, adding to the film’s emotional weight.
Cinematography plays a key role in capturing the bleak, desolate atmosphere of the case. The film’s cold, muted color palette reflects the loneliness and frustration of the investigation, while long tracking shots and handheld camerawork create an immersive, documentary-like feel.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Director Liz Garbus, known for her work in documentary filmmaking, brings a restrained, realistic approach to the film, prioritizing gritty authenticity over melodramatic storytelling.
Strengths:
- Powerful Lead Performance – Amy Ryan is phenomenal, delivering a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of a grieving mother.
- Authentic and Respectful Approach – Unlike many true crime films, Lost Girlsfocuses on the victims and their families instead of glorifying the killer.
- Social Commentary – The film sheds light on police negligence, classism, and the struggles of marginalized women, making it more than just a mystery.
- Atmospheric and Haunting – The bleak cinematography and quiet tension add to the film’s sense of unease and urgency.
Weaknesses:
- Pacing Feels Uneven – The film starts strong but loses momentum in the second act, making some scenes feel repetitive.
- Lack of Resolution – Since the real-life case remains unsolved, the film doesn’t offer a traditional crime story conclusion, which may frustrate some viewers.
- Minimal Thriller Elements – Those expecting a suspense-driven investigation may be disappointed, as Lost Girls leans more into drama than crime procedural storytelling.
Final Verdict & Score: 7/10
Lost Girls is a heart-wrenching and socially relevant crime drama that prioritizes emotional depth over mystery thrills. While its lack of resolution and slower pacing may not appeal to all viewers, its powerful performances, gripping themes, and haunting atmosphere make it a worthwhile watch for fans of true crime dramas.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Lost Girls Rating Scores
- Our Score: 7/10
- Overall Score: 6.83/10
- IMDB: 6.2/10
- MetaCritic: 6.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 7.3/10
Look here for more movies starting with L and here you can find 2020 movies to watch on your favorite streaming service.