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Plot Summary: A woman who raised herself in the marshes of the deep South becomes a suspect in the murder of a man she was once involved with.

Director: Olivia Newman

Writers: Lucy Alibar, Delia Owens

Runtime: 2 hours 5 mins

Main Cast:

• Daisy Edgar-Jones as Kya
• Garret Dillahunt as Pa
• Harris Dickinson as Chase Andrews
• Taylor John Smith as Tate Walker
• Joe Chrest as Dr. Cone

Review by: Leanne

Last year, I listened to the beautifully performed audiobook of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and fell in love with the writing. I normally hate when a book goes on and on about scenery, but it was different with Where the Crawdads Sing somehow. In any case, when I heard that there would be a movie adaptation, I was simultaneously excited and apprehensive. I desperately wanted to see a well-executed adaptation but was afraid something would be lost in translation. There was no doubt about it, though. I was going to see it.

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Summary:
When Chase Andrews is found dead in the marsh under mysterious circumstances, the investigation turns toward the marsh girl, Kya Clark, a social outcast toward whom Chase was inexplicably drawn. Kya is put on trial for murder and has no other choice than to hope that a jury of her peers, consisting of the same townsfolk who had rejected her for her entire life, will find her innocent.

What I liked:

I needn’t have worried about the beauty of the nature descriptions being lost in translation because the nature shots of the marsh were absolutely stunning. Though the language I loved so much was missing, I could see it all for myself.

While the plot was rearranged, presumably to draw viewers into the murder investigation sooner, it didn’t stray too far from the novel and ended up being a good adaptation. I’m sure the acting helped that, since the essence of the characters was well-preserved. I especially enjoyed watching the progression of Kya’s “romance(s).” First, they sure picked a handsome actor to portray Tate Walker. I wasn’t mad at it. I hope he gets more lead roles based on his performance. Second, the scene where Kya and Chase have sex for the first time captured the feeling from the book so well that I chuckled.

What I didn’t like:

I have not recently read the novel, but I am fairly certain that it gave more information about what actually happened to Chase Andrews, and there were definitely more details to the investigation. There was something lacking in the conclusion. Having read the book, I was not as disappointed as my friend who only had the movie to go on. I would have liked the satisfaction of seeing everything play out, but this seems like one of those rare instances where the movie was more enjoyable for book readers.

Oh, also, it reinforced my distaste for child actors. Some children are great actors. These were not. Maybe it’s something about lacking the life experiences on which adults base their performances. Whatever it was, it took something away from Kya’s childhood storyline.