Lost Girls

Excellent Netflix film based on real events, I don't say that very often. Dolby Vision and 4K has made viewing films like this a very realistic proposition which makes them more horrowing and thought provoking. Amy Ryan is magnificent as Mari a crusading mother trying to find out what happened to her estranged daughter Shannan, ably supported by her two daughters. Police only stumble across two bodies by mistake which takes her to a strange private community called Gilko Beach(The True Location). Gabriel Byrne plays Commissioner Dorman a cop whos at the twilight of his career, he forms a cat & dog relationship with Mari. Mari forms friendships with the mothers and daughters at a wake, where they try to seek justice. This won't be bettered this year for its realism and passion and superb acting. A Must See!

It's 2010. Mari Gilbert (Amy Ryan) is a struggling single mom in Ellenville, New York. Her youngest Sarra has issues. Her oldest Shannan goes missing. She takes her daughters, Sarra and Sherre (Thomasin McKenzie), to Long Island where Shannan was last seen. Police detective Dean Bostick (Dean Winters) dismisses her due to Shannan being a prostitute. Then a police dog stumbles upon the bodies of four dead prostitutes. Police commissioner Richard Dormer (Gabriel Byrne) takes over the investigation. Mari grows frustrated and decides to take on the entire closed-off community.

I hate to do this to a true story movie but it doesn't have a satisfying ending. As it stands, I need a re-enactment of that night and Shannan's final moments. I need to know who 'they' are. I need a lot of things that is missing in the real life story. I can't blame the movie for not showing things that are unknown in real life. I can blame it for not knowing the best ending of this movie. The best ending must be Mari's murder by her daughter Sarra. This is not Shannan's movie. This is Mari's movie and Amy Ryan's great performance proves it time and again. She electrifies this movie. She is the heart and soul of this movie. This is Mari's movie and it ends when she ends.

Lost Girls: Based on the Long Island serial killings. The story centres around Mari Gilbert (Amy Ryan) mother of missing Sex Worker Shannan. Mari's relentless campaign forced the police chief (Gabriel Byrne) to conduct a search for her daughter and to seek the serial killer(s) responsible for killing up to 16 women. Best acting plaudits though go to Thomasin McKenzie as Sheree Gilbert. Reed Birney is suitably creepy as a suspect. Terrible incompetence and dereliction of duty by the police is revealed. Directed by Liz Garbus. 7/10. On Netflix.

Based on true events, Lost Girls (2020) touches on the wider story of the Long island serial killer, who, to date has not been identified.

As a film it was very good, and anyone with any empathy for others will be drawn into the mothers desperate search to find her daughter.

For myself, the most poignant part of the film was the end. The incredibly selfish act of taking someone's life for your own 'pleasure', or self protection, is beyond the lowest of the low, but the domino effect such a cowardly and moronic act has upon that person's family makes it even worse, and this is very much the case for Mari Gilbert (the mother of Shannan).

Recommended for those who enjoy films based on true events, true crime and mystery.

This is the first review I have ever written because this movie deserved more credit than it was given. It was not perfect and some of the acting was clunky, while others were exceptional. You really feel the mothers energy throughout and can grasp the love that truly was there despite all of their familial shortcomings.

I am not sure how true this story was , but I hope the police were not this inept. I couldn't be sure if it was just over the top writing or not.

Overall, this was a good watch. Suspenseful with a decent enough cast.