Michelle Pfeiffer is stunning as a desperate, near-destitute woman whose life is shrouded in darkness.

Strong language, drinking in dark, heavy drama.

Where Is Kyra? finally allows [Pfeiffer] to explore the darker, unvarnished side of her talent and gives her the opportunity to do perhaps the best work of her lengthy, eclectic career.

That we watch the ticking moments of Where Is Kyra? with so much concern is a testament to the filmmakers and cast determined to elevate her unnoticed life.

Michelle Pfeiffer's raw, lupine portrayal of Kyra captures the slow, miserable grind of creeping poverty and its debilitating effect on reason.

As a statement about the economic insecurity inherent in American capitalism, "Where Is Kyra?" has grim power.

Michelle Pfeiffer's entrancing performance is more than capable of commanding people to watch.

Terror gradually leaks into the narrative, transforming Where Is Kyra? into a haunting non-traditional thriller.

It's a difficult movie with little in the way of brightness - except, of course, for the still-spellbinding, still-essential actress whose talent radiates from its center.

It ultimately doesn't have much to say apart from the basic observation that life is very, very hard for people with zero resources. But it depicts that punishing world with singular artistry.

At every beat, Pfeiffer poignantly conveys Kyra's misery, from the quieter hopeless moments to the more frantically despondent. And the actress' finesse makes it worth the watch.

Pfeiffer's remarkable, gutsy performance makes her character's despondency palpable just through the weariness of her expressions and body language.

A shattering portrait of a luckless woman unable to pull out of the tailspin that is her life, "Where Is Kyra?" is a powerfully moody character study anchored by a remarkable performance from Michelle Pfeiffer.

This is life on a knife-edge and it cuts accordingly.

Pfeiffer is nothing short of heartbreaking in a part that requires her to be completely unvarnished.