Festivals: Otec (2025) by Tereza Nvotová: A Haunting Exploration of a Father's Guilt
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 30
- 6 min read
A Memory Lapse with Devastating Consequences
Otec (in English, Father) is a Slovakian-Czech-Polish drama from director Tereza Nvotová. The film centers on a successful man whose seemingly perfect life shatters when his baby disappears from daycare. A frantic call from his wife reveals a devastating truth: the baby was left in the car, a memory lapse known as Forgotten Baby Syndrome. The film follows the main character (Milan Ondrík) as he grapples with overwhelming guilt and public scrutiny, joining countless similar tragedies. It is an emotionally draining and morally ambiguous drama that explores a parent's worst nightmare.
Why to watch this movie: A Gripping and Unflinching Drama
Timely and Unsettling Premise: The movie tackles a rare but devastating real-life phenomenon, creating an immediate and profound sense of horror and tragedy for the audience. Its subject matter is unsettling not because of a monster or a ghost, but because it is a human error that is both universally feared and tragically real.
Intense Psychological Thriller: The film is not a typical crime story but a powerful psychological thriller that focuses on the internal torment of its protagonist. It builds its tension through a palpable sense of dread and claustrophobia, as Michal's world closes in around him.
Masterful Direction: Director Tereza Nvotová is praised for her "brooding cinematic style," which creates a raw and deeply unsettling atmosphere. Her a-chronological storytelling and the constant sense of unease she creates turn the film into a harrowing emotional journey for the audience.
Link Review: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/slovak-director-tereza-nvotova-father-venice-1236497028/
About movie: https://www.intramovies.com/production/father/
What is the Trend followed? & The Rise of Intimate, Psychological Dramas: The film follows the trend of intimate, psychological dramas that focus on a single, life-altering event and its emotional repercussions.
Exploration of Internal Conflict: Instead of grand narratives, these films delve deep into the internal struggles of their characters, inviting the audience to inhabit their emotional landscape.
Minimalist Filmmaking: The use of long takes and a less-is-more approach to storytelling allows for greater audience immersion and a more authentic feel.
Focus on Human Fallibility: This trend is driven by a desire to explore the complexities of human nature, including our capacity for making devastating mistakes and the struggle to find redemption.
Director's Vision & An Immersive and Unflinching Look at a Parent's Worst Nightmare: Tereza Nvotová's vision for the film was to create an immersive, almost "video game-like" experience for the audience, but grounded in a deeply human and painful reality.
Long Takes for Immersion: Nvotová chose to shoot the film in very long takes to force the audience to fully connect with the main character, giving them no room to distance themselves from his emotional turmoil.
Focus on the "In-Between" Moments: The director was interested in exploring the moments that are often not shown in films—the quiet, private moments when a person is not in control and is truly themselves.
A Film About Empathy: Inspired by a real-life event, Nvotová's goal was to make a film that would challenge the audience to confront their own potential for such a mistake and to foster empathy for those who have experienced it. She has stated that she wants viewers to "accept their own fragility and imperfection and not make quick judgments about themselves or others."
Themes & A Love Story in the Wake of Tragedy:
Grief and Guilt: The central themes of the film are the unbearable grief and guilt that follow a catastrophic mistake. It explores how a single error can shatter a life and threaten to destroy a family.
Human Fallibility: The film is a powerful commentary on human imperfection and the terrifying reality that a tragic lapse in memory can happen to anyone.
Love and Forgiveness: Despite the overwhelming pain, the film is also presented as a love story—the story of a couple struggling to navigate an unimaginable loss and to find a way back to each other, if possible.
The Unraveling of the Self: The film explores the main character's loss of his sense of self and his identity as a devoted father, as he is consumed by guilt and faces the possibility of imprisonment.
Key success factors & Raw Emotion and Technical Precision:
Powerful Acting: The raw, authentic performances by Milan Ondrík and Dominika Morávková are a major factor in the film's success, conveying the immense emotional weight of the story without resorting to melodrama.
Authentic Direction: Nvotová's decision to use long takes and avoid a conventional structure is a key success factor, creating a deeply immersive and unsettling viewing experience.
Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: The film tackles a difficult and often-misunderstood topic, drawing attention to a tragic and under-discussed social issue.
Festival Acclaim and Buzz: Premiering at a major festival like Venice and receiving early positive reviews has generated significant industry buzz and critical attention.
Awards & Nominations & A Promising Start on the Festival Circuit: Otec (2025) has already gained early recognition. The project won the Screen International Award at Rome's MIA Market in October 2024. The film has also been selected to compete in the prestigious Orizzonti section at the Venice International Film Festival, with nominations including the Orizzonti Award for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Special Orizzonti Jury Prize.
Critics Reception & Universal Acclaim for an Unforgettable Drama:
Loud And Clear Reviews: The review from this site describes the film as a "devastating drama about grief, guilt, and Forgotten Baby Syndrome," praising the "two raw, heartbreaking performances" and Nvotová's direction for "avoiding melodrama" and instead leaning into "silence, stillness, and atmosphere." The review concludes by stating that while the film is "not an easy watch," it is "unforgettable."
International Cinephile Society: This site's review calls Otec Nvotová's "best film to date" and a "surefire candidate for a good festival run." It highlights the director's "cinematic language" and "clever way of portraying memories" as elements that "lift the film to another level."
Overall Summary: Critics have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the film for its emotional authenticity, powerful performances, and Nvotová's bold and immersive directorial style. The consensus is that while the film is emotionally draining, it is a profound and unforgettable cinematic experience.
Reviews & A Gut-Wrenching Look at the Aftermath of a Mistake:
High On Films: This review describes the film as a "brooding cinematic style that drives this emotionally draining drama ripe with moral ambiguity." It notes that the film's strength lies in its ability to explore the "unbearable question" of whether love can survive such a catastrophic mistake.
Prague Reporter: This publication highlights the film's premise, stating that it "unravels after a tragic mistake, threatening his marriage and freedom." It also quotes Nvotová's own words, emphasizing her attraction to "emotionally intense material" and the revealing nature of moments "when no one's watching."
Overall Summary: Reviews from various sources consistently emphasize the film's emotional intensity and its ability to deeply affect the viewer. The film is consistently described as a difficult but rewarding watch that forces audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature.
Release date on streaming & To Be Announced: A streaming release date has not yet been announced.
Theatrical Release & Coming Soon to Theaters: The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025. It is set for a theatrical release in the Czech Republic on September 18, 2025, and in Slovakia on September 11, 2025.
What Movie Trend film is following & The Psychological Thriller as a Love Story: The film is a psychological thriller, but it follows the emerging trend of using the genre's suspenseful elements to explore complex emotional and relational themes rather than just a crime or a mystery. It subverts the traditional thriller narrative by focusing on the internal psychological consequences of a mistake rather than a whodunit plot, transforming a tragedy into a nuanced love story.
What Big Social Trend is following & Confronting the Uncomfortable: Otec follows the social trend of confronting difficult and often-taboo subjects in art and media. It tackles the tragic phenomenon of "Forgotten Baby Syndrome," a topic that is often met with immediate judgment and condemnation. The film's aim is to foster empathy and understanding by showing that such a terrible event is rooted in the architecture of the human brain and can happen to anyone, challenging societal assumptions and encouraging a more nuanced and compassionate response.
Final Verdict & A Must-See for Fans of Emotionally-Charged Cinema: Otec is a powerful, gut-wrenching, and unforgettable cinematic experience. Director Tereza Nvotová masterfully uses a minimalist and immersive approach to tell a deeply personal and tragic story. Anchored by a career-defining performance from Milan Ondrík, the film is a profound exploration of grief, guilt, and the resilience of love in the face of an unimaginable mistake. While not an easy watch, it is a highly recommended film for those who appreciate character-driven dramas and art that challenges and moves them.
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