20 greatest directorial debuts in film history

Citizen Kane (1941) | Image Source: RKO Radio Pictures
Citizen Kane (1941) | Image Source: RKO Radio Pictures

8) The Lost Daughter (2021) - Maggie Gyllenhaal

The Lost Daughter (2021) | Image Source: Netflix
The Lost Daughter (2021) | Image Source: Netflix

This psychological drama by Maggie Gyllenhaal explores the lives of mothers, guilt, and self-identity while drawing from Elena Ferrante's novel of the same name. The film leads the audience through the tale of Leda, a professor vacationing on a Greek island when her disturbing recollection of her past as a mother interrupts her trip. Gyllenhaal makes subtle yet powerful directions so that the tension between her wants and obligations can be explored. The film received critical acclaim for the performances, but especially Colman's and Gyllenhaal's confident debut as a director was showered with many awards, among them a Golden Globe.

Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!

Edited by Abhimanyu Sharma