The film Where the Crawdads Sing is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Delia Owens. The original novel became the best-selling book in the United States from 2019 to 2020 and also won the 2021 Bookstore Award for Best Translated Novel in Japan, making it a global sensation.

Even more noteworthy is that global superstar Taylor Swift wrote an original song for the film. She is reportedly a passionate fan of the book and personally requested to compose the theme song. With Reese Witherspoon serving as producer, the project garnered significant attention as a major Hollywood undertaking.

The Beautiful World of the Wetlands

The most extraordinary charm of the film “Where the Crawdads Sing” is undoubtedly its overwhelming depiction of nature, set in the wetlands of North Carolina. The landscapes of the American South from the 1950s to the 1960s are rendered with a painterly beauty.

Kya’s small house sits among stunning natural scenery. You see misty mornings, golden sunsets over the wetlands, and many different animals. These visuals make the world feel real and help pull viewers into the story.

The visual beauty crafted by director Olivia Newman and cinematographer Polly Morgan is, in itself, worth seeing.

Director Olivia Newman’s Skill

Director Olivia Newman, who helmed this film, collaborated with Lucy Alibar, who wrote the screenplay for ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’, to translate the original story’s worldview into images meticulously. Director Newman stated that, while filming in the unique environment of the wetlands, she focused on conveying both the natural beauty and the harshness of the girl’s solitary struggle to survive there.

By using different timelines, Newman contrasts the tense courtroom scenes with the main character’s beautiful but painful memories. She said, “The core of this story is how strongly one woman lived,” and you can see this idea in the film’s visuals.

Daisy Edgar-Jones’s Masterful Performance and Psychological Depth

The film moves between the 1969 murder case, courtroom scenes with Kaia, and flashbacks to her childhood and teenage years. Daisy Edgar-Jones’s strong performance as Kaia ties these timelines together.

She powerfully shows both the strength and vulnerability of a woman left by her family at age six, who had to survive alone in the marshes. Through courtroom drama and flashbacks to Kaia’s romance and complicated past, Edgar-Jones makes Kaia seem both shy and very strong.

Particularly striking is her performance in the heartbreak scene, where she eloquently conveys complex emotions—a mix of anger and sorrow—through facial expressions alone. Kaia’s inner monologue narration also blends naturally into the story, delicately conveying the mindset of a lonely girl.

Jojo Regina, who played young Kaia, was also excellent. The seamless transition to adult Kaia, portrayed by Edgar-Jones, highlights the skillful casting typical of American films.

In an interview, Daisy Edgar-Jones, who plays Kaia, said, “Adapting a bestselling novel always comes with pressure, but capturing the story’s tone is crucial. The set was ‘wild’—we even raced around the marshes in boats—but it was an incredible experience.”

A moving ensemble brought together by chronological structure and mystery.

Although the film is set up as a mystery, its real strength is showing Kaia’s growth during the trial and her relationships with those who help her. Without giving away spoilers, the culprit is easy to guess, and the ending isn’t shocking. Still, this movie is best seen as a story about one woman’s life.

One of the most touching parts is seeing how Kaia, who lived alone, ends up with a group of friends who care about her. Jampin and Mabel, the couple who run the general store, have loved Kaia like a daughter since she was a child, helping her in many ways. Mabel’s warm, motherly performance is especially moving.

The lawyer, played by David Strathairn, stands out the most. He defends Kaia because he feels guilty for not helping her when she was a struggling child. His final speech in court is more than just a defense—it’s an intense criticism of a society full of prejudice.

As the trial goes on and evidence is lacking, we see that Kaia, once called the “Marsh Girl,” was actually cared for by many people. This way of telling the story is one of the film’s biggest strengths.

A faithful adaptation that satisfies fans of the original

Fans of the original work frequently praised it as a “faithful adaptation.” Indeed, the film meticulously translates the novel’s worldview to the screen. The timeline, omissions, and added original scenes are all handled appropriately, maintaining the balance of nature descriptions, romantic elements, and social commentary present in the source material.

On Rotten Tomatoes, there’s a big difference between the audience score (95%) and the critics’ score (36%), with fans of the original book showing the most support.

Excerpts of praise from original fans:

• “This film faithfully recreates the brilliance of the original work. The cinematography is breathtaking, and every depiction through Kaia’s perspective is perfectly realized. Daisy Edgar-Jones and David Strathairn deliver Oscar-worthy performances.”
• “The film is very well made, though not quite as good as the book. That’s not unusual, though. I wanted to see more of Kaia learning from the animals, insects, and birds in the marsh.”
• “Anyone who loved the book will surely love this film. Even Taylor Swift’s last song pulls you into the world of the marsh. It is how you make a movie.”

The film was a box-office hit, earning four times its $24 million budget. It’s a good example of how Hollywood’s expectations don’t always match what audiences enjoy.

The film uses its medium effectively, showing Kaia’s survival skills and her beautiful drawings. It also brings out the author’s background as an ethologist by using animal behavior in the wetlands to reflect on human nature.

Summary: The Strength and Beauty of Living with Nature

Even though it’s marketed as a mystery, Where the Crayfish Sing is really a touching story about a woman’s complicated life; her journey—surviving in nature after being abandoned by society—provokes a lot of thought today.

The film’s beautiful wetland scenes, great cast, and memorable music all come together to create something that stays with you after it ends. It especially connects with female viewers and is an excellent pick for a relaxed autumn evening.

Crayfish don’t really make a sound. Still, after seeing this film, you might find your own special “place where the crayfish cry”—a safe spot just for you, where you can be undisturbed.