Get the tissues ready: This tear-jerking father-daughter Netflix movie will absolutely wreck you

I wasn't prepared for what "Doll House" was going to do to me. I was scrolling through Netflix for a drama with a bit of heart, something that felt real. What I got was a film that completely broke me down and then carefully put the pieces back together.

This 2022 Filipino drama doesn't pull any punches. The story itself is pretty simple and raw: A down-and-out rock singer (Baron Geisler) grappling with his past tries to secretly connect with the daughter he never really knew.

If you're in the mood for a movie that will make you feel something, this is it. Fair warning, it's a heavy one, so have some tissues handy. "Doll House" is an underrated gem that you've likely never come across on Netflix, and well worth streaming for the first time. There's a lot to uncover on the streamer, and this is one movie you should make space for while it's still available. Who knows when it might disappear?

What is ‘Doll House’ about?

Rustin (Baron Geisler) is the troubled lead singer of a rock band struggling with addiction. He travels to the Netherlands to reconnect with his past, including a family he's estranged from. He's determined to finally meet his young daughter, Yumi (Althea Ruedas), who he had to make the difficult decision to leave behind years ago.

Doll House | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

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That choice, which led to Rustin hiding his true identity, ends up turning his entire world upside down. To get close to her, he takes on a job as a live-in caregiver for her current guardian. That ends up helping him form a secret bond with Yumi, while she has no idea who he truly is. This kicks off an emotional collision course as his past catches up with him, threatening to shatter the stable life Yumi has always known.

Why you should stream ‘Doll House’ on Netflix

Sometimes you need an emotional reset. There's a lot of dopamine baked into the shows and movies Netflix parades around as its showcase pieces. "Doll House" is a character-driven story that’s all about the performances and the raw emotions they bring up and less about instant gratification. So if you're in the mood for a movie that will make you feel all the feels, this is it.

The whole story unfolds in a cozy Dutch setting, which provides a sharp contrast with the messy, complicated drama at its center. You get a variety of genuinely sweet moments of connection that make the heavier, more heartbreaking parts of the story feel even more powerful. By the time the movie is over, you feel like you've been on a real journey.

And while it might look like a straightforward tearjerker, "Doll House" is smarter than that. It isn't afraid to question whether a father's attempt to reconnect is an act of love or just a selfish need for his own closure. These are heavy topics, but they're handled in a way that feels graceful, not syrupy. And with the cool of fall right around the corner, "Doll House" is a movie that's good to snuggle up with. Just make sure to have tissues on hand.

Stream "Doll House" on Netflix

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Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the next great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.

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