Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ryan Gosling film Lost River is not coming to a cinema near you

The widely panned movie will be released on home entertainment platforms

Jess Denham
Tuesday 30 December 2014 18:19 GMT
Comments
Ryan Gosling's Lost River was the actor's directorial debut
Ryan Gosling's Lost River was the actor's directorial debut (Cannes Film Festival)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, Lost River, will not be released in US cinemas after receiving largely negative reviews at the Cannes Film Festival last spring.

The Canadian actor’s movie, starring Matt Smith, Christina Hendricks and his girlfriend Eva Mendes, will instead be distributed by Warner Bros on home entertainment platforms in April.

It has yet to be confirmed whether Lost River will be screened elsewhere around the world, but with critics describing it as “unthinkingly offensive”, “ultimately kind of juvenile” and “a student film with an A-list cast”, its future looks in serious doubt.

The magical-realist film follows single mother Billy as she is “swept into a dark underworld” while her teenage son Bones discovers a secret underwater town.

One scene sees Doctor Who’s Smith chant “Look at my muscles!” while plenty of others feature burning bicycles and houses.

Many reviewers noted not-so-subtle homages to filmmakers such as David Lynch and Nicolas Winding Refn.

Refn, who worked with Gosling on 2011 hit Drive, called Lost River a “beautiful, great movie that will grow on people”.

Lost River premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section in May, after first being called How to Catch a Monster.

A home entertainment release date has yet to be confirmed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in