THE DARK ROLE OF GENDER MANDATES

Abstract

This paper analyzes some female characters from the movie The Lost Daughter (Gyllenhaal, 2021) using contributions from gender perspective and relational psychoanalysis. In Callie and Nina, we see the traditional family model represented as both women fulfill the expected role for their gender, while the protagonist, Leda, breaks away from these stereotypes. Through these figures, an attempt will be made to shed light on the suffering caused by the rigidity of gender mandates. The aim is also to make sense of the darkness depicted in the title of the movie, which represents the suffering that can be generated by such mandates.