Netflix’s latest family drama, His Three Daughters, weaves an emotional, bittersweet narrative involving three estranged sisters, Katie, Rachel, and Christina, trying to make amends with each other as they reunite during their father’s final days. Director Azazel Jacobs adds a spark of brilliance to a simple premise through the nuanced characterization of the three sisters, whose relation to each other and their dying father adds relatable, grounded dynamics. The pent-up emotions that led the sisters to grow apart from each other are expressed bit by bit, but sentimentality never bogs down the story—instead, the palpable tension of conversations and silence adds an interesting depth to the plot.
Out of the three sisters, Rachel, played by actor Natasha Lyonne, stands out with her measured, emotionally suppressed outlook, conveying much about the inner turbulence, vulnerabilities, and insecurities. It is crucial to comprehend the connection, or the lack of it she shared with her sisters, to understand her perspective and role in the family dynamics.
Spoilers Ahead
Rachel’s Relationship With Her Sisters and Her Father
Rachel shares no biological connection with Vincent; she is his second wife’s daughter from her first marriage, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a strong familial relationship between Vincent and Rachel. Vincent considered Rachel his second daughter, and Rachel too knew Vincent as her father from the beginning. After the death of her mother, Vincent was Rachel’s sole guardian—similar to how he was the only parental figure to his biological children, Katie and Christina as well. But after a point, Rachel had started to realize the blood relation aspect will always factor in their relationship, especially after noticing how her sisters never quite considered her one of their own. There is no flashback shown to their childhood, but surely the sisters shared a few moments, which engraved the difference in Rachel’s mind pretty well.
From the first scene itself, the difference becomes apparent, as Katie goes on a rant to pinpoint exactly why she considers her an immature, irresponsible adult who isn’t able to take care of their father properly. Ironically, it is Rachel who stayed with their father, took care of him, and possibly didn’t consider settling down out of concern for him—while her sisters were busy raising their own families. Rachel doesn’t share any grievances; she herself has projected a kind of boundary that she doesn’t like to cross when her sisters are around. Even when Vincent’s condition is deteriorating, she doesn’t join her sisters in his room—she stands outside the door, desperately trying to steal a look at her father. Vincent had spent his last few years with Rachel and never objected to her habit of smoking weed and even showed interest in Rachel’s tendency to bet on sports. In a touching scene, in the absence of her sisters, Rachel informs her comatose father from outside the room about the latest scores of a game —it’s their own way to connect with each other. Rachel’s bond with Vincent grew stronger in his final years, which is why she is having the most trouble coping with the pent-up grief, even though she refuses to show it. Rachel doesn’t mind Katie belittling her, as long as she lets her live in peace, and even tries to maintain the peace through as much silence as one can muster in a situation like this. Christina has a slightly better relationship with Rachel, but in one way or another, she too unwittingly treats her as an outsider—not that Rachel is complaining about that. Ever since Katie and Christina’s arrival at their family home in New York, Rachel’s remained cautious not to trespass into the boundary shared by her sisters and her father. Strangely enough, as Vincent points out, Rachel shares certain similarities with Katie—as seen in the way the duo momentarily connects over morbid humor or having a generalized mindset about their sister Christina.
Rachel’s non-confrontational, reserved demeanor is a product of her yearning for a familial connection with her sisters, despite constantly refusing to acknowledge it. She is afraid of letting her vulnerable self get exposed in front of them, which explains her taciturn behavior. She feels freer outside when her family is at her place, and glimpses of her jubilant spirit are seen during that period.
At one point, Rachel realizes that, like her sisters, she has been unmindful about them as well. Her way of life and worldview differ quite a lot from Katie and Christina, but that was no reason for her not to at least try to reach out to them. After the realization dawns upon her, she tries to make amends with her sisters for a bit but remains distant at the end in her own way. The acknowledgement finally comes when Vincent addresses Rachel’s feelings toward her sisters, and in her most embarrassing moment, Rachel’s desperate attempt to hide her emotions says it all. After her father’s passing, Rachel’s sisters return to their lives, and the emotional reconciliation continues to bring a smile to her face.
