Someone's Daughter [Fantasia 2026 Review]

by Mike McGranaghan

Someone’s Daughter has a premise that could not be timelier given the current cultural discussion around sexual assault. The movie had its world premiere at the 2026 Fantasia International Film Festival and is likely to create reverberations wherever it plays from here. Going for pensiveness rather than exploitation, the story sets up an intriguing scenario, then observes how the two major characters behave within it.

Sam (Pascale Bussiéres) is a criminal defense attorney. Ten years ago, she successfully got an accused rapist acquitted of all charges. Now the victim’s father has kidnapped her and left her stranded on a small island in the Canadian wilderness. She is not alone, however. Also trapped there is Paul (François Arnaud), the client she got off. Clearly, this is not a coincidence. The acquaintances have nobody else to rely on as they strive to find their way back to civilization. Over time, Sam begins to question whether she ever really believed in Paul’s innocence.

In total honesty, it’s easy to see where Someone’s Daughter is going and, consequently, to predict how it will end. This is the kind of film that puts itself on a track that only goes in one direction. If it didn’t go in that direction, there would be no point. That quality does sap a little bit of the tension we’re intended to be feeling.

Otherwise, there are many strong elements to admire, starting with the performances. Bussiéres is very good in showing how Sam goes from being wary of Paul, to growing close to him, to thinking she sees big flashing warning signs pointing to him. On his end, Arnaud deftly avoids telegraphing the inevitable, giving the character genuine charm and an ingratiating personality.

Also pleasing is how the screenplay is subtle in what it reveals. You have to pay attention not just to what Sam and Paul say but also how they say it. Many films dealing with this subject matter would go for the big dramatic notes. Director Wiebke Von Carolsfeld goes the opposite route, allowing viewers to recognize what’s happening on their own, without having it all spelled out for them.

Someone’s Daughter intentionally has a slower pace, so you’ve got to be patient with its storytelling. If you can do that, it’s worth the effort. Themes related to justice and the law hit hard, especially during the finale, making this a picture with something very worthwhile to say.