The beauty that emerges between the squalor of the place and the excellent art design is not enough to redeem a decidedly unsuccessful film. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 1./5 | Oct 17, 2023

"Like a pilfered Fabergé egg, Ryan Gosling’s freshman effort, 'Lost River,' is a sight to behold but completely hollow beneath its bejeweled veneer."

| Aug 3, 2023

Gosling seems preoccupied with the look of his film more than its substance. His vague ideas about moral and existential decomposition inhabit a cumbersome viewing experience that remains admirable at times, but never engaging.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Jun 21, 2022

It's not quite deserving of whistling, but its potential to unsettle is undone by Gosling's reliance on style over substance.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jun 4, 2021

One unforgettable image after another, this dreamlike gothic urban fantasy has more staying power than any other recent films I've seen.

| Feb 14, 2021

There's more than a nugget of intrigue to this era-less, nihilism-inflected tale, but Gosling is too concerned with aesthetic and tone to deliver much of a narrative.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 10, 2019

For Gosling it seems to be train set, a paint box and a whole crate of star studded action figures to play with and he throws them at the screen willy-nilly, in a way which is at least exuberant and entertaining.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 4, 2019

Overall, Lost River isn't worth its rental fee, unless you absolutely must see Gosling's effort for yourself. Otherwise, take my word for it-wait until Ryan Gosling makes another movie.

| Oct 16, 2017

Lost River is little more than "cool shots, bro."

| Original Score: D | Jun 6, 2016

While 'Lost River' might not be a model of narrative efficiency, it's got more striking moments and memorable images than a season of studio product.

| May 28, 2016

Although this film was way too ambitious for a first time director and writer, one can pick out some seeds that will hopefully germinate for Gosling into an interesting future as a filmmaker.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 28, 2016

Either you will hate it for being pretentiously artsy or love it as a mesmerising mess.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Mar 4, 2016

Lost River is a hugel y impressive debut, even if it is ultimately flawed. It feels like a first feature, and that's OK, and displays an art and eye from Gosling you might not have thought he possessed.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 26, 2016

That Gosling is so serious about his inconsequential pronouncements, makes this mess more of a mess.

| Original Score: C | Jan 25, 2016

It all descends into blood and fire as Gosling sifts through his Blu-ray collection to share the images and moods he loves. Does it work as a movie? Nah, not really. But as cinematic mix tapes go, it's kind of cool.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 18, 2015

Lost River is absolutely not going to be for everybody but that's precisely why it's worth your time. Gosling's first outing is hopefully not going to be his last.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Aug 24, 2015

Writer-director-producer Ryan Gosling creates one of the most unwatchable films in years. "Lost River" is a noir nightmare that desperately tries to channel David Lynch, but fails miserably.

| Original Score: F | May 20, 2015

Everything ... is painfully obvious or patently nonsensical.

| May 14, 2015

Ryan Gosling's stylish and evocative directorial debut shows some potential even if his script is a muddled and incoherent mess.

| May 4, 2015

Ryan Gosling has taken many great visual skills from his time with director Nicholas Winding Refn, but unfortunately his writing still has a long way to go, turning Lost River into an aimless and bland experience to rival Refn's own Only God Forgives.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 4, 2015