Alien at the Movies

 The Lost Daughter

A college professor, Leda (Olivia Colman), has her solo Italian vacation’s peaceful solitude interrupted by other vacationers’ loud & rude behavior. Among this annoying group is a mother, Nina (Dakota Johnson), whose daughter has wandered off lost & the little girl also loses her favorite doll. Her new obsession with Nina triggers flashback memories for Leda of her early days of motherhood. This psychological drama is a bit unsettling & serves as a reminder to beware of strangers. Seemingly normal people may carry some emotional scars. Director/writer Maggie Gyllenhaal is at the helm here.

Alien gives it 2½ “maternal guilt” stars out of 4.