Rating: 5 out of 5.
As soon as summer arrives, we start hearing horrifying stories about little, vulnerable children forgotten in their parents’ cars. What happens next is both terrifying and tragic. We instantly turn into judges of the heartbreaking situation, asking ourselves: How could someone leave their own child to die in the scorching heat? It is easy to condemn, but do we really understand what happens in the moments leading up to such an unthinkable mistake?
Michal (Milan Ondrík) and Zuska (Dominika Morávková) are a happily married couple raising their adorable two-year-old daughter, Dominika (Dominika Zajcz). They seem like the very definition of a picture-perfect family you read about in novels. Nothing appears capable of breaking their harmony. Yet while Dominika enjoys the comfort of her loving home, her parents are consumed by adult responsibilities—working, running errands, constantly rushing. In one word: distracted. Still, one thing remains unwavering—their bond. Until the unshakable is suddenly shattered beyond repair.
The film opens with Michal jogging home on a sweltering day. He finds Zuska and Dominika preparing for daycare. Filmed in one seamless shot, we see Michal head to the shower to cool off when Zuska, pressed for time, suddenly asks him to drop Dominika off instead. Despite being late himself, Michal doesn’t hesitate—he happily takes the responsibility. Before leaving, he even switches Dominika’s car seat, since the old one was too easy for her to unbuckle. That small detail, that shift in routine, proves fateful. After exchanging kisses and goodbyes with his wife, Michal drives off, singing his daughter’s favorite song. We watch him drop her at daycare—or so it seems.
The day continues. At work, Michal faces the annoyance of a broken AC, watches home videos of his little girl, and speaks with Zuska on the phone about everyday things. When she asks about Dominika, Michal reassures her: she’s at daycare, everything is fine. Then comes the life-shattering call. Zuska tells him the daycare says Dominika was never dropped off. In that instant, something clicks. The unbearable realization: his daughter has been locked inside the car all day, under the relentless heat.
Father is a haunting portrayal of every parent’s worst nightmare. Based on true events, it introduces us to an ordinary family with no visible flaws. Yet it drives home the point that no one is immune from a single tragic lapse that can alter everything. Michal is the kind of father every child longs for—loving, devoted, willing to step in at any moment without complaint. But one simple, well-intentioned act leads to devastating consequences.
The performances are extraordinary. Milan Ondrík embodies a father’s torment so intensely that his grief feels almost unbearable to witness. Dominika Morávková, as the mother, delivers a raw, heart-wrenching performance that lingers long after the credits roll. Together, their portrayals are devastating, pulling us into a nightmare that feels painfully personal.
Equally important is the film’s craftsmanship. The script, penned by Dušan Budzak and Tereza Nvotová, is impeccable in its structure—taut, unflinching, and emotionally resonant. Under Nvotová’s masterful direction, every scene flows with precision, building unbearable tension while never losing sight of the humanity at its core.
Father is not an easy watch. It’s the kind of film that leaves a lasting imprint, harder to stomach than any horror movie because its terror is real, its tragedy all too possible. It highlights the danger of quick judgment: while outsiders move on, parents like Michal and Zuska must live forever with the consequences of a single irreversible mistake. For us, it’s a reminder to be vigilant, yes—but also to show compassion, withhold judgment, and acknowledge that no one is immune to human error. This is a film that demands empathy. One that forces us to hope we never have to endure the pain it so devastatingly captures.