IMDb 7.9 2023 HD

The Last Daughter

The Last Daughter

2023
Documentary
90 min NR Australia
7 / 10
7.9 IMDB

Brenda’s first memories were of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family. Decades later, she…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Caitlin Morse / Brad Lanyon / Stephanie Jaclyn / Nathaniel Schmidt / Brenda Matthews
Starring
Brenda Matthews / Mark Matthews / Brenda Simon / Connie Ockers / Mac Ockers

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

poignant heartfelt searching emotional reflective authentic moving challenging complex raw hopeful resonant

Reviews

C
Clara Bellweather
Mar 21, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'The Last Daughter' is a tender and ultimately hopeful chronicle of one woman's journey to reconcile her disparate pasts. Brenda Matthews is exceptional as the protagonist, conveying a nuanced emotional landscape with subtle power. The film’s strength lies…

S
Samuel Davies
Mar 21, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'The Last Daughter,' Brenda Matthews portrays a woman grappling with a bifurcated past, seeking solace in reconnecting with her former foster family. The film’s narrative momentum is driven by this quest, which unearths uncomfortable truths about her…

I
Isabelle Moreau
Mar 21, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A profoundly affecting exploration of heritage and belonging, 'The Last Daughter' is a must-watch for those who appreciate deeply personal storytelling. Brenda Matthews offers a career-defining turn, imbuing her character with a palpable sense of inner conflict and…

A
Arthur Finch
Mar 21, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'The Last Daughter' presents a compelling, albeit familiar, story of fractured identity and the search for home. Brenda Matthews anchors the film with a performance that conveys a deep sense of longing and quiet determination. The narrative’s strength…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 21, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Brenda Matthews delivers a performance of quiet resilience in 'The Last Daughter,' a film that navigates the delicate terrain of identity with grace. The narrative, charting Brenda's search for her white foster family after being returned to her…

FAQs

'The Last Daughter' resonates deeply within an Australian context due to its direct engagement with themes of Indigenous identity, foster care, and the historical impact of government policies. The narrative of a separated Aboriginal child seeking to understand her roots and her upbringing speaks to a significant aspect of Australia's social history. The film offers a personal lens through which to view broader national conversations about reconciliation, belonging, and the enduring strength of cultural heritage.