Netflix is renowned for its impressive lineup of high-profile stars and exclusive content, but sometimes the most compelling stories come from the realm of documentaries. This week, the streaming giant is adding a new documentary to its roster that’s already creating significant buzz: Daughters. With a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Daughters promises to deliver both heartwarming moments and emotional depth, as highlighted by the recently released trailer.
Starting August 14, Daughters will be available for streaming with a Netflix subscription. The documentary follows four young girls—Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana—and their incarcerated fathers as they prepare for a Daddy Daughter Dance organized through a unique fatherhood program in Washington, D.C. The film explores the emotional and psychological impact of incarceration on families and the transformative power of special programs like this one.
The acclaim for Daughters has been overwhelming. The documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it earned the Audience Award for a U.S. documentary. Since then, it has continued to impress critics and audiences alike. Carla Hay of Culture Mix describes Daughters as “one of the most impactful documentaries of the year.” Hay praises the film for its raw and poignant depiction of the long-term effects of parental separation due to incarceration, stating:
“Daughters is quite simply one of the most impactful documentaries of the year. This tear-jerking account of a father-daughter dance in a prison tells a larger story of the long-term effects of separation from incarcerated parents. Daughters does not ask viewers to pity these fractured families but to take an honest and often-uncomfortable look at the circumstances that led to these traumas.”
Valerie Complex of Deadline commends directors Natalie Rae and Angela Patton for their sensitive portrayal of the girls’ experiences. The film not only captures the joy and significance of the dance but also provides an unfiltered look at the challenges faced by these young girls. Complex notes:
“By bookending buoyant bonding and peak life moments with unfiltered peeks into the girls’ formative struggles, Rae and Patton underscore how even periodic bursts of bliss hold radical power for reshaping worldviews. Daily trauma absorbed before returning home reiterates why continual cultural and sociopolitical efforts must spread this spark so no child feels forgotten.”
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Brian Eggert of Deep Focus Review highlights the documentary’s visual appeal, praising its polished cinematography and editing. Despite its beautiful presentation, Eggert assures that Daughters remains grounded and authentic, avoiding the pitfalls of a preachy activist piece. Eggert writes:
“Some harmonious, polished images and impressionistic editing look conspicuously beautiful, as though arranged for a commercial rather than a grounded documentary. But no rule says a documentary can’t look polished. Refreshingly, Daughters never feels like an activist piece; instead, it communicates its message through observation, respecting the viewer enough not to resort to shouting its message on a soapbox.”
The trailer for Daughters further reinforces its emotional power, showcasing intimate moments between the girls and their fathers as they prepare for the dance. The focus on the importance of physical touch and the emotional connections formed during the event are prominently featured, suggesting that the film will be a deeply moving experience.
As Daughters arrives on Netflix, it offers viewers a chance to engage with a powerful story about resilience, hope, and the profound impact of programs designed to bridge the gap between incarcerated parents and their children. The documentary’s perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and the strong critical response indicate that it will be a must-watch, resonating with audiences long after the credits roll. Whether you’re drawn to emotional storytelling or simply looking for a documentary with significant social relevance, Daughters is set to make a profound impact on its viewers.
