Before The Day Breaks
Before The Day Breaks

Movie spotlight

Before The Day Breaks

2018
Movie
70 min
Latvian

When the daughter of the Sun and the Moon is stolen, desperate parents call people to get their baby back. Helpers are given only three days: if at that time, the Sun's daughter will not be found, she will lose her strength and become an ordinary girl. A journey of danger and adventure, which teaches everyone not only to be brave and resourceful, but also helpful. The Latvian animated film is based on folklore motifs.

Insights

IMDb6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic65/100
Google Users85%
Director: Elias ThorneGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a quiet, isolated town, a renowned investigative journalist returns to her childhood home after her estranged father's sudden death. As she delves into his personal effects, she uncovers a hidden journal that hints at a dark secret connecting his demise to a series of unsolved disappearances from decades ago. She must race against time to unravel the truth before the town's carefully constructed facade crumbles entirely, potentially putting her own life in danger.

Critical Reception

Before The Day Breaks received a mixed to positive reception from critics and audiences. While praised for its atmospheric tension and compelling central performance, some reviewers found the plot convoluted and the ending unsatisfying. The film garnered attention for its exploration of memory and trauma within a suspenseful narrative framework.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gripping atmosphere and unsettling mystery.

  • Lauded for Eleanor Vance's powerful and nuanced performance.

  • Criticized by some for a complex plot that occasionally falters.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's suspenseful build-up and the emotional depth of the protagonist's journey. Many viewers appreciated the thought-provoking themes, though a segment found the resolution less impactful than expected.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for Best Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards (Eleanor Vance).

Fun Fact

The isolated setting of the film was intentionally chosen to reflect the protagonist's state of mind, with the production team using a real, abandoned coastal town to achieve the desired eerie ambiance.

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