The Daughter (2003)
A Portuguese drama about a TV producer who must confront his failures as a father when his daughter vanishes without a trace.
The Daughter - Movie Information
- Original Title: A Filha
- Release Year: 2003
- Directed by: Solveig Nordlund
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Portuguese
- Spoken Languages: Portuguese
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 24, 2003 (Portugal)
- Alternative Titles: My Baby (UK)
- Production Companies: Cine-Qua-Non
- Production Countries: Portugal
The Daughter - Plot
Ricardo Monteiro is a successful television producer specialising in reality shows. He is 45 years old and he has just received an award for the most popular television show of the year, when he receives an ultimatum from his 18-year-old daughter Leonor. If he does not come home that same evening to celebrate her birthday he will never see her again. Ricardo is distracted by business or other commitments and he is too late for the last flight home. When he returns next day the apartment is empty and Leonor is gone. At first Ricardo thinks that it is only a game, but there are no phone calls or messages and after a while he gets worried and starts looking for her. He discovers that she has quit school without telling him and that she has lost all contact with her old friends. She has become a complete stranger.
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The Daughter - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Solveig Nordlund
Main Cast
- Nuno Melo
- Joana Bárcia
- Margarida Marinho
- Cecília Guimarães
- João Cardoso
- Isabel Muñoz Cardoso
- Ana Zanatti
- Cláudio da Silva
- Cristina Carvalhal
- Gracinda Nave
Writers
- Solveig Nordlund
- Vicente Alves do Ó
Producers
- Manuel João Águas
The Daughter - FAQs
What is The Daughter (2003) about?
The Daughter follows Ricardo, a successful Portuguese TV producer who misses his daughter Leonor's 18th birthday. She disappears without a trace, and as Ricardo searches for her, he uncovers how little he truly knew her — she had quit school, cut off old friends, and become a complete stranger to him.
Why does Leonor disappear in The Daughter?
Leonor gives her father an ultimatum: come home for her birthday or lose her forever. When Ricardo fails to show up, she follows through. Her disappearance isn't impulsive — she had already quietly rebuilt her life, quitting school and severing old friendships, suggesting a long-simmering estrangement finally reaching its breaking point.
Who are the main actors in The Daughter?
Nuno Melo leads the cast as Ricardo, the absent father, with Joana Bárcia as Sara and Margarida Marinho as Cecília. The ensemble also includes Cecília Guimarães, João Cardoso, Isabel Muñoz Cardoso, Ana Zanatti, and Gracinda Nave, among others.
Where can you watch The Daughter online?
Streaming availability for The Daughter varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current viewing options across streaming services, rental platforms, and digital storefronts so you can find where it's available in your area.
Who directed The Daughter (2003)?
The Daughter was directed by Solveig Nordlund, a Swedish-born filmmaker who has worked extensively in Portugal. Nordlund also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Vicente Alves do Ó, bringing a distinctly personal and intimate perspective to this story of fractured family bonds.
Is The Daughter based on a true story?
The Daughter is not based on a specific true story. It's an original screenplay co-written by director Solveig Nordlund and Vicente Alves do Ó. The film draws its emotional power from universal themes of parental neglect, identity, and the quiet ways families drift apart over time.
What themes does The Daughter explore?
At its core, The Daughter is about the cost of emotional absence. It examines how a father's obsession with professional success erodes his relationship with his child, and how a young woman asserts her identity by walking away. The film quietly interrogates modern parenthood, media culture, and the illusion of knowing someone you love.
What are some films similar to The Daughter?
If The Daughter resonates with you, explore Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Aloft (2014), and Fat Girl (2001) for similarly intimate family dramas. The Safety of Objects (2002) and Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) also share the film's focus on fractured domestic bonds and the emotional lives of young women.
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