Ryan Gosling's directorial debut 'Lost River' was screened for the first time on Tuesday (May 20th) at the Cannes Film Festival.

The flick was considered as one of the most anticipated at the annual event and as the showing premiered in the morning, critics who attended the packed theatre are already giving their feedback.

But unfortunately for Gosling, his first time working behind the camera has been unanimously panned.

'Lost River' is a fantasy-thriller that stars Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith, Saoirse Ronan and Gosling's longtime girlfriend Eva Mendez.

The movie incorporates aspects of fantasy noir, mixed with suspense in a present day fairytale. Set in eerie backdrop of a rundown city, the plot follows, Billy, a single mother who falls into the depths of a dark underworld, while her teenage son, Bones, finds a road that leads him to a secret underwater town.

Both Billy and Bones must delve into the obscure fantasy world to save their family.

Critics quickly took to Twitter to post their initially reaction to 'Lost River.'

Scott Foundas of Variety posted, "Gosling's LOST RIVER a first-rate folie de grandeur. Echoes of Argento, Korine, Lynch, Malick in a tedious allegory of Detroit as ghost town."

"Intriguing imagery/performances & bold influences, but one thing's clear; Ryan Gosling's directorial debut isn't for the mainstream. #Cannes," added Total Film.

Grantland critic Wesley Morris was equally negative as he tweeted, "If a $200 haircut and $900 shades were given lots of money to defecate on Detroit, the result would be Ryan Gosling's directing debut."

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Some attendees thought it shared too many similarities with Gosling's previous work, the Global news editor of Time Out, Dave Calhoun, thought that "anyone who loved Only God Forgives should love Ryan Gosling's LOST DRIVER. Swap Bangkok for swampy America and it's basically the same film."

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'Lost River' is set to hit theatres on October 2nd 2014.

Ryan Gosling
Gosling along with 'Lost River' star Christina Hendrick at the Cannes Film Festival