Kya, a young girl who was abandoned as a child, raised herself in North Carolina’s perilous marshland. For many years, the marsh girl legend dominated Barkley Cove, cutting off the bright and feisty Kya from her community. Then, she enters a new surprising world; a comforting and unsettling ground as she finds herself drawn to two local young men, Tate and Chase. But as soon as one of them is discovered dead, Kya is the prime suspect. After that, the case outcome is becoming increasingly hazy as it develops and threatens to spill numerous secrets.
First off, this mystery, thriller, and romance movie was not how I expected it to be. Actually, I didn’t research first the plot or the synopsis of the book. So, I thought it would only revolve around Kya’s life in the marsh, but it was more than that. If you haven’t read the book or watched the film, I won’t spoil it for you.
Despite not being able to read the contents of the book written by Delia Owens, I was still astounded by how great the movie was able to portray the isolating life of Kya. The cinematography of each scene’s overall composition such as the set or location’s lighting was what I loved the most. How the marsh was depicted to the audience, especially the camera angles, movements, and special effects, made everything fall into their place as everything was aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
The casting of actors is very commendable, too. In the middle of watching the movie, I thought that Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) really suit the character. She was able to portray Kya’s personality as a curious and stubborn girl. Actors such as Tate (Taylor John Smith), Chase (Harris Dickinson), and others were surprisingly good, too
Aside from that, I love how the movie was in first person’s point-of-view. Perhaps, the reason why I found a hard time looking for a positive review about the movie was that other critics were looking and expecting that it would be completely the same as the book considering that it was done through the perspective of a third-person, where there is an observational tone in terms of narration, rather than knowing what the characters are truly thinking or feeling. As a reader myself, I usually prefer stories that come directly from the person who experienced them.
I wasn't aware that words could hold so much. I didn't know a sentence could be so full -Delia Owens
It is always a fan favorite to witness the journey and struggles of two lovers. I was really glad that the movie was able to display Kya-Tate moments, especially how Tate was very patient and respectful to her. The fact that he taught her how to read and write was the best thing that I could get from their time with each other. I wished that they were given more screen time.
Nevertheless, I understand that the director also needs to show Kya’s moments with Chase to give the film a new and different flavor despite the reds that I can see all over him.
Kya’s backstory serves as an example of the value and power of independence as she was able to manage numerous adult responsibilities despite not having anyone to be by her side. Although there are kind people whom she can rely on, it’s still different when you have someone to call home. She’s a keen observer and applies what she notices from everyone, especially in her family’s state when she was young as well as what she senses in the natural world.
According to Owens, she drew inspiration for the book, in part, from her own time spent in the woods. She explained it to The New York Times in an interview: “It’s about trying to make it in a wild place”.
And I think it’s beautiful.
We may not share the same experiences with Kya, but we are all molded by different early childhood traumas which have either taught us to be more compassionate, wiser, braver, or independently face the biggest obstacle that life can offer. However, the moral of the story also constitutes that trusting and depending on others allows one’s self to be vulnerable, too. Like Kya, there are times when she thought she was all alone when in fact, there are others who are willing to help her, too. We all have that marsh girl inside us; we may sometimes feel like the world is against us, but the truth is, it is all about finding the right people to get along with as well as finding the right time to dig the best fights where we can get the best opportunities from.
Above all of that, I would certainly give it a 4/5. I was satisfied with how the movie went. Perhaps, like other critics, I expected something more from it, too. It was a slow-burn type of movie, something that I am still trying to get used to. But needless to say, I was surprised by its plot twist. It’s very remarkable and not the usual ones that you can see with other competitive modern movies in the film industry. I really hope to watch more of this kind of movie ❤
That’s where you’ll always find me, way back yonder, where the crawdads sing.
Catherine Danielle Clark (Kya)
The Classy Classics 