Most of us have read the book “Where The Crawdads Sing”. We know the storyline and anxiously await the film’s release on July 15, 2022. I was invited to see a screening of the film a few weeks ago, and I am happy to give a Where The Crawdads Sing Movie Review from a mom’s perspective!
First, let me share some movie information:
From the best-selling novel comes a captivating mystery. Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect. As the case unfolds, the verdict as to what actually happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets that lay within the marsh.
Where the Crawdads Sing stars Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People) as “Kya Clark,” Taylor John Smith (Sharp Objects) as “Tate Walker,” Harris Dickinson (The King’s Man) as “Chase Andrews,” Michael Hyatt (Snowfall) as “Mabel,” Sterling Macer, Jr. (Double Down) as “Jumpin’,” and David Strathairn (Nomadland) as “Tom Milton.” Olivia Newman (First Match) directs the screenplay by Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild) based upon the novel by Delia Owens. The 3000 Pictures film is being produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter.
Where The Crawdads Sing Set Visit in Houma, Louisiana
My family and I took a self-guided tour of the movie set in Houma, Louisiana in July 2021. (Don’t judge our appearance! We had just driven 9 hours and it was raining off and on.) It was great seeing the area transformed to fit Kya’s life. Stores that I visited as a child were turned into a Piggly Wiggly. A bridge I’ve walked across was now the bridge Kya would run across to get to her boat. We were there when producers called, “quiet on the set” as they drove antique vehicles down Main Street.
My teen (who never read the book) couldn’t wait to see the film. So, while I was hesitant, I took her with me to the screening.
Where The Crawdads Sing Movie Review
I read the book over a year ago, so it’s hard to remember exact details, but I can say I don’t think they left anything out. The story and film are almost tik for tac. The book was excellent. The movie was good, too, but there are some scenes to be aware of.
As of July 1, 2022, the film was not yet rated. I was afraid of this. Rated R seems too harsh. Rated PG-13 seems too loose and not enough. Here’s why:
There are 2 sex scenes. In the first, there’s no nudity, but you know what’s going on… and there’s nothing else to look at. As a parent taking her 14 year old daughter to see this, I’ll say my teen turned her head and said, “awkward!” It’s over in 30 seconds, then the male (I won’t say who) gets up and says something along the lines of “you’ll learn to like it” or “It gets better”. (I can’t remember exact words.)
The second scene in question should come with a warning for those who have never read the book. If you’re dealing with any type of trauma from domestic or sexual abuse, here is that warning. (She does punch the daylights out of him, so there’s that.) …again, an awkward scene for a teen to watch.
If the film industry went with a rating of R, it restricts those under 18 from seeing it. If they go with PG-13, then 13 year olds will watch this because parents will trust the industry’s rating. After I watched it, I thought we needed a PG-16. (Ha!)
As of last week (July 10-ish), the film has been rated. They went with PG-13 for sexual content and some vilonce including a sexual assult. Would I let my 13 year old watch this? Probably not.
FYI: Rotten Tomatoes also lists this film with a genre of Mystery & Thriller.
I have watched thrillers and disagree with that. There’s no blood. You barely see a dead body. There are no jump scares. On a thriller level, I give it a solid 1.
