Where the Crawdads Sing

Director Olivia Newman's luminous debut feature on Delia Owens' beloved novel is an ode to nature, lost innocence and the resilience of the human spirit.

From its stunning photography of the marshlands to its lush original score, the film immerses us in Kya's lonely world with poetic grace.

Daisy Edgar-Jones completely immerses herself in Kya, creating one of the best performances in recent years through her wild and wise warrior spirit.

When a local boy turns up dead, Kya becomes the town's suspect, more out of prejudice than evidence. Newman masterfully builds the tension as she faces ostracism alone.

The supporting roles of Harris Dickinson and Taylor John Smith fuel the mystery, while David Strathairn is the only man who shows real kindness to Kya.

This eloquent story proves that some adaptations fully honour the soul of their source material. A masterpiece of modern storytelling.

Box office figures were extraordinary: the film grossed $240 million worldwide on a budget of $24 million.