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Fifteen million copies are already sold and counting. What's more, one of the most fantastic selling books ever.

Then I expect quite a lot from a film adaptation.

And yet this film couldn't touch me that deeply.

Don't get me wrong. It's a fun story to watch and certainly captivated me, but the critical acclaim that the book has received, the movie will receive from someone else. In addition, there were moments when the story seemed rushed, and the director (Olivia Newman) needed to take the time to dive into the characters more.

Let's get to the story.

This film falls into the drama and mystery genres, but romance would be in the right place as a subgenre.

1953

Two timelines run through the film.

The first started in 1969, and the second began in 1953.

In both, Kya (Daisy Edgar-Jones) plays the leading role.

The fact that the beautiful flora and fauna play a significant role is noticeable from the first second. But after a quiet, serene intro, you are immediately confronted with the death of a young man. Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson) is dead in the Marsh of Barkley Cove, North Carolina. And soon, all fingers point at Kya. A young woman living alone in the swamp, abandoned by her family at a young age. And an outcast for the residents of Barkley Cove.

She was always viewed as an outsider and never understood. It is easy to accuse her even though the evidence is scarce and jump to conclusions without a proper investigation by the sheriff's department. But the whole village runs after each other pointing the same finger of blame. You immediately get questions about the legality of this process.

The movie portrays the sheriff's investigation very thinly, and soon Kya is arrested for murder. It is where the credibility of this story first wavers me.

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1969

While residing in the cell, the second timeline begins.

Kya tells her lawyer about her childhood filled with abuse, disappointments, sadness, and love. Slowly the two timelines converge, and you see young Kya grow into the beautiful, intelligent woman she is today. She was fascinated by nature. Her relationship with Cody becomes more apparent towards the film's end but again lacks depth.

I see with all the protagonists, you miss the depth of their character and relationships with each other, which makes it difficult to understand some actions, like Tate (Taylor John Smith) staying away at one point in the story or the relationship between the two male protagonists, Chase and Tate. So many questions unanswered, lingering annoyingly in your head, and you can't put your finger on them.

And yet you keep watching because you want to know how Chase died.

Spoiler: You won't find out in the end.

What actions led to his death are not revealed. But, whether it was murder or an accident, you will eventually find out. The fate of Kya and her loved one also sucks you into the movie until the end. Unfortunately, however, it gets long-winded in the last 15 minutes.

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Worthwhile?

That is why the movie is still worth watching, despite the lack of depth in characters and relationships.

The beautiful nature is a backdrop. A fascinating story with some holes here and there. Overall good acting and a soundtrack that captures the atmosphere and warmth of the movie well. The gaps were, therefore, soon forgotten.

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But next time, I will adjust my expectations to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately, only a few have succeeded in a worthy film adaptation, but hope is always there.

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