The sudden arrival of Where the Crawdads Sing on Netflix, the first thing we noticed when we logged on to the streamer, was a welcome new addition to their movies for many viewers. Subscribers were surprised that the movie was made available without any fanfare, many are already watching it to get a good cry. straight up,” one user wrote, while another added: “Felt like a good weepy movie. Where Crawdads Sing filled the bill.” (Photo: Sony Pictures)
Why is Where the Crawdads Sing controversial?
All the controversy surrounding Where the Crawdads Sing has more to do with the source material, Delia Owens’ novel which has sold over 15 million copies, than the film. but the adaptation of this text has of course raised the ire of some because it retains many of its issues. Largely, Crawdads has been criticized by many for its stereotypical portrayal of black characters, of which there are only two despite its setting in the Deep South. This, however, has been overshadowed by controversy over its plot. In short, the narrative of Crawdads centers on a young woman who lives together in North Carolina and is on trial for the murder of a star football player. The “did or didn’t” of the plot is a major focus, and for some bears an uncanny resemblance to the author’s real life. According to reports, including a major article on the subject in The Atlantic, author Delia Owens is wanted for questioning in the murder of a man from her time in Zambia. Owens isn’t a suspect in the matter, but the similarities have many people scratching their heads anyway.
What is Where the Crawdads Sing?
The official synopsis for the Sony Pictures film says it follows the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who grows to adulthood in the dangerous swamps of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Attracted to two young men from the city, Kya opens up to a new and surprising world. but when one of them is found dead, the community is immediately made the prime suspect. As the case unfolds, the verdict on what really happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets hidden within the swamp. Daisy Edgar-Jones (Fresh, Under the Banner of Heaven) stars as Kya in the film, alongside 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 directed the play from a script by Lucy Alibar (Beasts of the Southern Wild). The 3000 Pictures film was produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. The film also featured an original song, “Carolina”, written and performed by Taylor Swift.
