Where the Crawdads Sing

1969: The body of wealthy family member Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson) is found in the North Carolina swamps. For many in the nearby town of Barkley Cove, young Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones), who grew up alone in the swamps, is the prime suspect. For years there have been wild rumors about the “march girl” and it doesn’t take long before Kya finds himself in custody and in a courtroom. If she is convicted of murder, the death penalty is to be carried out.

Retired attorney Tom Milton (David Strathairn) takes on Kya’s defense because he believes his client is innocent. During the court hearing, Kya remembers her difficult childhood and how, despite a lot of resistance, she managed to build up her own existence – and how the fateful encounter with two young men threatened to destroy a lot.

The bestseller adaptation Where the Crawdads Sing has its lengths, but pleases because of the strong leading actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, the magnificent pictures, and the resolution at the end. Anyone expecting a pure courtroom thriller will be disappointed. But if you manage to immerse yourself in the emotional world of protagonist Kya, you’ll get a thoroughly touching mix of drama and thriller.

• Where the Crawdads Sing