"Tideland" is a surreal and unsettling fantasy-drama film directed by Terry Gilliam, released in 2005. Adapted from Mitch Cullin’s novel of the same name, it plunges viewers into the eerie, dreamlike world of a child’s imagination amid bleak and disturbing circumstances.
The story follows Jeliza-Rose (Jodelle Ferland), a young girl abandoned on a decaying rural estate after her negligent, drug-addicted parents—played by Jeff Bridges and Jennifer Tilly—meet grim fates. Left to fend for herself, Jeliza-Rose retreats into a vivid fantasy realm where talking squirrel friends and disembodied doll heads become her companions, shielding her from the loneliness and decay around her.
Known for its haunting visuals, Gilliam’s signature eccentricity, and a polarizing blend of innocence and grotesquery, "Tideland" explores the resilience of a child’s mind against trauma. The film’s unsettling tone and unconventional narrative challenge audiences, while Ferland’s captivating performance anchors its strange beauty.
Released in 2005, "Tideland" divided critics and viewers with its bold, divisive style—some praised its daring artistry, others found it disorienting. It remains a lesser-known yet provocative entry in Gilliam’s filmography, a twisted fairy tale that lingers in the imagination.
