Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing

Abandoned by her family, Kya raises herself all alone in the marshes outside of her small town. When her former boyfriend is found dead, Kya is instantly branded by the local townspeople and law enforcement as the prime suspect for his murder.

  • Released: 2022-06-23
  • Runtime: 120 minutes
  • Genre: Drama, Mystery
  • Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson, Michael Hyatt, Sterling Macer Jr, David Strathairn, Ahna O'Reilly, Garret Dillahunt, Jayson Warner Smith, Jojo Regina, Eric Ladin, Joe Chrest, Logan Macrae, Luke David Blumm, Charlie Talbert, Jojo Regina, Jayson Warner Smith, Billy Slaughter, Sterling Macer Jr, Robert Larriviere, Caroline Cole, Bill Kelly, Blue Clarke, Sarah Durn, Suzette Lange, Jerri Tubbs, Mike Harkins, Wyatt Parker, Taylor Shurte, Elton LeBlanc, Michael Wozniak, Grace Hinson, Will Bundon, Emma Willoughby, Michael A. Newcomer, Patrick Nicks, Brad Blanchard, Steve Kish, Jerri Tubbs, Lillian Dorsett, Anna Kabis, Zoey Reid
  • Director: Olivia Newman, Olivia Newman, Olivia Newman
 Comments
  • ahampert - 23 June 2024
    Just a beautiful story
    First I read the book and I was deeply moved by the story. The book is beautifully written. Being passionate by drawing and nature I was instantly captivated by the story. I was instantly deeply touched by the situation of the little girl, her adversity, her courage and imagination to pull herself out of a very tough life. I was particularly swept away by the beautiful narration of the author when writing about the wildlife and connection of her main character and the nature. I could identify myself with Kya who was rejected because of her difference and I could appreciate that she could find happiness in connecting with nature more accepting then the humain race. When the movie came out I was of course very curious to see if I could find all the feelings and emotions that the book had aroused in me. I was not disappointed ! I think I could what this movie all over again a hundred times so true and beautiful it is. Thank you Delia and thank you Reese.
  • drjgardner - 24 May 2024
    Almost perfect
    This film has everything. A good coming of age plot, wonderful acting, great photography, and good music. So why doesn't it get a 10? A couple of reasons. (1) the flashbacks are not timed well, so at times they are distracting and sometimes even annoying. (2) For a film about an artist the photography, though wonderful, could have been a little more CU for the natural elements. The camera should love the elements as much as she does. (3) for the length of the early years in her life, the later years get short changed.

    These are all minor points. All things considered it's a wonderful film. See it.
  • rtoupin-35755 - 26 April 2024
    Read the Book Only
    I often don't read a book if it was made into a movie. The book is always better despite how good the film is because it's richer and riper and I love film too much to be disappointed all the time. I decided to break my rule for this one because I've seen Daisy's work and I thought she'd never sign up for a lazy project. I was wrong. I read the book first, started the film, and turned it off maybe 15 minutes in. This novel deserved WAY better. Daisy is a great actress and she deserved better too. The writing, set, makeup, and costume design were a joke. A REALLY BAD ONE. This should've been a rawer film, something hopeless, and painful, beautifully crafted, and heartbreaking. Instead we were dished rosey cheeks, fake sets, bad lines, and washed up acting with off-pace delivery. I had hope. I read In Cold Blood and then watched Capote. That book got everything that it deserved and more. God forbid an abandoned mash girl get the same consideration for her story, even if it is fiction. I'm only giving this two stars because of Daisy. She might have not been cast in the film version I would make of the book but she knows how to deliver the poetry of it at least.
  • danielgfarrellsr - 9 January 2023
    Odd, hard to believe story but is pretty good with great acting
    Can't believe a 9 year old can survive by herself in the marsh lands, but once you get past the disbelief, it seems to be a pretty decent movie. The actors all did a great job to make the 60's believable. Well written story and delivered very well. Kudos to a two hour movie that didn't waste my time.

    I especially liked the location chosen for the movie. Beautiful scenery and great colorful shots.

    I didn't read the book but certainly can understand why it was on the best sellers list.

    Daisy Edgar-Jones did a great job playing the role of Kya Clark. I can see her as an upcoming actor. Taylor John Smith offered a great supporting role.
  • rochemb - 3 January 2023
    Most Truest Movie to the Book Since "To Kill a Mockingbird".
    The movie does start out on a boring note, such as the book. We fist see Kya being tormented all night trying to block out the screams of her mother being beat by her alcoholic father. Her brused and badly beaten mother then leaves, with no goodbyes. Eventually her siblings; Missy, Murph, Mandy and Jodie are also are beaten and eventually leave. Kya is all alone to fend for herself, and has become known as the 'Mosh Girl'. Kya is befriended by Tate, who teaches her how to read, but eventually he too abandons her when he goes off to college. She is now totally alone, except for the only people she can now trust; Jumpin' and Mabel, who run the local store. Kya is a brilliant artist and naturalist. There is still more evil in this story and his name is Chase, and this is where Kya's real troubles begin. I read this book over four years ago, but I can honestly say I remembered every detail. I did donate the book to my public library after my daughter and I read it; however, I will need to purchase it again, because now I would like to read it again and also keep along side my classic "To Kill a Mockingbird".
  • apool-41115 - 26 December 2022
    A breathtaking story, beautifully composed
    I don't usually write reviews but this film is truest the best film I've seen in a long time. The cinematography was stunning and I felt like I truly understood/knew the characters. I have the book however, I have only just started to read it. It's written beautifully and I do believe that it's been carried across extremely well. However, I think that they could've focussed more on the protagonists life as a child more than they did. No having read the whole book, I can't compare it too much. As a film degree student, this meets all of the criteria we look at, when we look at making a great film! Ideally I would give this 9.5 stars as it's a breathtaking story that's beautifully composed.
  • mark-doster - 16 December 2022
    Like how movies are MEANT TO BE.
    This movie takes you to the time and the world of the story. And it never pulls you away from that world or brings in unnecessary characters into that world. It gets in, creates its atmosphere, shows believable characters, rolls a well-told story, and has effective directing, acting, and subtext.

    THIS is what movies are meant to feel like. Yes, it's sad and you feel deeply for this character enough to where it's uncomfortable and makes you think of your own life, miss your own loved ones, remember a deeply regrettable moment from your past. But it does it COMPETENTLY by drawing you into its world and never letting you go.

    It actually has a good story, good writing, good dialogue, the right actor choices, a believable chemistry, good location, and a deep, meaningful story arc.

    Kudos to Olivia Newman for doing what countless Hollywood directors can not do today. She made a REAL movie.
  • forslar-361-698309 - 1 December 2022
    What a dud.
    What a dud. Daisy Edgar-Jones did a good job, but she could not resurrect a screenplay with so many holes. The plot jumped back and forth in time, leaving the audience in whiplash. Issues like racism and domestic abuse were just glossed over -- and did anyone else notice that somehow there were just two Black characters in the entire film? In the South? The scenery was lush and lovely, however; there was solely that. Moreover, the sped-up, 10-minute race to compress time to get the couple to their old ages was simply corny and gag-worthy. Finally, the surprise ending seemed to come out of nowhere -- perhaps if the film had not had such a womens'-TV-channel holiday romance feel to it, it'd have pursued the characters with more depth and allowed for a grittier exploration of the lead character. In the end, it was just dull.
  • myralynortiz - 25 November 2022
    Exciting thriller with a twist ending
    The movie takes you through the tragic and devastating life of Kya, aka the Marsh Girl, and legally known as Catherine Danielle Clark. As an adult, and in present current events of the movie, she is accused of the murder of Chase Andrews.

    Abandoned by her mother and siblings because of an abusive father, Kya is torn between leaving or staying. Eventually setting a rhythm of hiding from her father, then learning to live peacefully with him, the father decided to leave Kya after receiving and cruelly burning a letter he received from the mother after she left.

    Kya continues to fend for herself. Her only saving Grace are her drawings, the grocery owners, and Tate, a new friend she discovers who teaches her how to read. Everyone else in the town rejects her, so she continues to isolate herself in her marsh home - a dilapidated, broken home that shelters her and her beautiful drawings.

    Tate and Kya fall in love, but eventually drift apart as Tate confides in Kya that he is ready to leave for college. He promises to return to Kya, setting the date of the 4th of July. When he breaks that promise, Kya is devastated yet again, feeling abandoned and heartbroken.

    Fast forward five years later, and she meets Chase Andrews, an attractive young playboy who, despite his upbringing, fancies this Marsh Girl. It is apparent that he is a polar opposite of Tate's caring, compassionate being - Chase is lustful and wants to be with Kya only to benefit himself. He shows her the dangerous fire tower, and she is overwhelmed with emotions at seeing the beautiful marsh land below. It is revealed there is a dangerous, open grate at the top floor of the fire tower.

    Tate then returns the following year, but having broken his promise to Kya, she is unwilling to see him and upset with having encountered him. Tate only wants to warn Kya of Chase. It is then revealed that while attempting to be with Kya, he was engaged the whole time to one of his "friends", Pearl.

    Kya again, is devastated and feels abandoned. Eventually she decides to warm back up to Tate, as they both realize he never should have left her. He confesses that he made a huge mistake at being too career-driven, because none of it meant anything if he didn't have Kya to share that life with.

    Then fast forward a bit to present time, and we are back to the murder trail. Kya is acquitted for the murder, as there is not enough evidence supporting that claim. But one huge question remains - if she didn't do it, who did? And where is the shell necklace she made Chase?

    Tate and Kya, happy at the results of the trial, fall into bliss with one another, eventually marrying and starting their lives together. In a twist ending, it is then revealed that Kya indeed murdered Chase, as his shell necklace was found buried in one of her books. After Kya's passing, Tate is shown finding the shell necklace. Terrified of the truth, he then takes the shell necklace and ensures the marsh engulfs it, never to be found again.