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    Movie Review

    Mysterious and romantic Where the Crawdads Sing hits all the right notes

    Alex Bentley
    Jul 14, 2022 | 1:20 pm
    Daisy Edgar-Jones in Where the Crawdads Sing.play icon
    Daisy Edgar-Jones in Where the Crawdads Sing.
    Photo by Michele K. Short

    The tradition of Southern Gothic storytelling, which often features — among other elements — eccentric characters living in poverty, goes back to the Civil War era. Many artists have put their own spin on the genre since then, including author Delia Owens, whose massive bestselling novel Where the Crawdads Sing has now been made into a highly anticipated film.

     

    The story centers on Kya Clark (Daisy Edgar-Jones), a young woman who has been living in the swamps of North Carolina on her own for many years after her abusive father drove the rest of her family away. The film jumps back and forth in time, from her tormented childhood to her mostly-blissful relationship with Tate (Taylor John Smith) to the death of Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson), whom Kya is accused of killing due to her eccentricity and little else.

     

    Directed by Olivia Newman and written by Lucy Alibar, the film benefits from an immediate sense of place. Much of it takes place in and around the swamp in which Kya lives, and the unique vegetation, the maze-like waterways, and the creaky architecture all combine to give a vibe that could never be fully re-created on a soundstage. Kya also encounters shop owners Jumpin’ (Sterling Macer Jr.) and Mabel (Michael Hyatt) on a regular basis, adding not only someone who cares for Kya, but also characters that enhance the film’s atmosphere.

     

    The story combines elements that might seem antithetical, but the filmmakers do such an effective job setting each one of them up that they seem natural next to each other. The film’s central mystery of whether or not Kya killed Chase is supported by the heartbreaking aspect of her life in general, which gives her a toughness others might not have. Kya and Tate’s romance is swoon-worthy, thanks in part to the film establishing their friendship as kids and because the two older actors have a chemistry together that’s rare.

     

    The filmmakers layer on other small details that keep the story humming. Kya is enamored of the nature that is all around her, especially feathers shed by birds, and this love influences the film’s storylines in unexpected ways. The film, set in the 1950s and ‘60s, also points out the insidious racism and other prejudices held by some in the Southern community without it distracting from the larger story at hand.

     

    An underrated part of the film is its casting. Only two of the main cast — Edgar-Jones and David Straithairn, who plays Kya’s lawyer — are relatively well-known, which allows the others to inhabit their characters without any pre-conceived notions. Edgar-Jones is fantastic as Kya, exuding an innocence that the character needs, but also able to transform at a moment’s notice. Smith, Hyatt, and Macer play characters that might seem idealized, but they each put on performances that deepen their roles significantly.

     

    As an adaptation of a hugely popular book, it’ll be tough for Where the Crawdads Sing to please everybody. But from the perspective of someone who has not read the book, the story is extremely well told, containing multitudes thanks to its combination of genres and impressive characterization.

     

    ---

     

    Where the Crawdads Sing opens in theaters on July 15.

    Daisy Edgar-Jones in Where the Crawdads Sing.

    Daisy Edgar-Jones in Where the Crawdads Sing
      
    Photo by Michele K. Short
    Daisy Edgar-Jones in Where the Crawdads Sing.
    movies
    news/entertainment

    This week's hot headlines

    North Dallas neighbor named best city for renters in week's top stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Jul 26, 2025 | 10:00 am
    McKinney skyline
    Facebook/Visit McKinney
    McKinney is booming.

    Editor's note: This week's most-read Dallas headlines included a new report on the best city for renters, an exciting new steakhouse, a construction park developed with Dude Perfect, and more. Read on to see what you missed. Still need weekend plans? Here's some help.

    1. Booming North Dallas neighbor named best U.S. city for renters in 2025. A Dallas-area city is the place to be for renters: According to a report from apartment search website RentCafe, McKinney has earned the title as the No. 1 best U.S. city for renters in 2025.

    2. Dallas chef to open steakhouse in ex-Nick & Sam's near Preston Center. A steakhouse inspired by the open-fire grills of Latin America is coming to north Dallas: Called Casa Brasa, it’ll take over the former Nick & Sam’s at 8111 Preston Rd., in Preston Commons, a block south of Preston Center, at Centenary Road.

     Casa Brasa Casa Brasa, coming to Preston Road.  Courtesy rendering  

    3. Construction theme park developed with Dude Perfect digs into Grapevine. A new kind of entertainment experience is bulldozing into Grapevine: Called Dig World, it's a construction-themed adventure park that will open at 2200 W. Grapevine Mills Cir. at Grapevine Mills.

    4. Jakes Burgers returns to East Dallas with location on Greenville Ave. An iconic burger is coming to Dallas' Greenville Avenue: Jakes Burgers and Beer, the Dallas-based chain featuring burgers, fries, and beer, is opening a location at 4925 Greenville Ave., at the Energy Square development.

    5. Early days of pandemic become a powder keg in tense movie Eddington. Even though a number of productions have attempted to show what life was like during the early days of the pandemic, few have tried to truly reckon with the way lockdowns and restrictions changed people. Filmmaker provocateur Ari Aster does just that in Eddington.

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