There are plenty of people who want to see a great thriller. It’s even better when there are big names involved or when it is based on a bestseller. When a film has both, people will flock to it. This is the case withThe Marsh King’s Daughter. Based on thenovel by Karen Dionne, the film is being touted as a don’t-blink thrill ride.
But what does the film offer, and what sets it apart from other thrillers? Let’s dive into everything you need to know aboutThe Marsh King’s Daughter.
The Plot of The Marsh King’s Daughter
Helena Pelletier is a happy young business owner with a great life. She has a husband who loves her and a plucky daughter who makes her happy. However, Helena has a secret she has never shared with anyone.
Before she was born, her mother was abducted by Jacob Holbrook, a loner who brought her to a remote cabin and kept her there for years. During that time, her mother gave birth to her and she was raised by her father, never knowing the situation of which she was a product.
In her time with her father, they explored and lived off the marshes of Michigan. Jacob engrained certain skills in her,such as huntingand tracking. They lived off of the world around them, and Helena was content. Even when she saw what her father was capable of, his angry and brutal behavior towards outsiders and even towards her mother, she knew he had a deep love for his family.
When Jacob is found by the authorities and charged for his crimes, he is crowned by the media as The Marsh King and taken to prison. Helena is uncertain of what will become of her. However, years later, as she finally begins to enjoy and appreciate her life, news arrives of a jailbreak. Two men have escaped, one of them being The Marsh King.
Helena is forced to confront her past and can only watch as authorities attempt to recapture her father. But she knows him, and she knows his methods. In fact, she may be the only one who does. She realizes that the only one who can find him and possibly bring him to justice is her.
In an attempt to protect her family from the clutches of her deadly father, Helena begins creating a plan. She will use everything in her power, all of her know-how, and every skill she has retained from her time in the marshes to make her father understand that not only does she not want him near her family, but that she is willing to do whatever it takes to stop him.
The Cast of The Marsh King’s Daughter
The film is a collection of well-known and award-winning actors. The casting is similar to that of movies based on the works of Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), where, although there are unknowns in the cast, the few leads are quite well-known.
In this film, two big names lead the charge: Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn.Ridley is best knownfor portraying Rey in theStar Warssequel movies. She has been featured in other films since then, but this is the first major motion picture of note since 2021’sChaos Walking.
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Mendelsohn has been acting for decades but has found a recent renaissance in nerd culture. Much like Ridley, he has also featured in a Star Wars film,Rogue One(2016). Mendelsohn has also found success in the Marvel universe as Talos, the Skrull leader whose most recent outing was in theless-than-stellar 2023Secret Invasionserieson Disney+.
Other actors appearing in the film seem to have been plucked from nerd culture. These include Garett Hedlund, who starred in 2010’sTron Legacy; CarenPistorius, who starred in 2018’sMortal Engines;and Gil Birmingham, who has been in countless films but will be known to most viewers from his work in theTwilightseries.
Everything Else We Know
The Marsh King’s Daughterhas had a rocky road to being made. Initially, Daisy Ridley’s role belonged to Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), who was not only set to act but to produce the film. It also lost its original director, Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game, Passengers), and instead brought on Neil Burger. Burger has previously directedDivergent(2014) and wrote/produced/directed the 2021 filmVoyagersstarring Lily Rose Depp.
Adapted from the 2016 novel, the screenplay for the film was written by Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith. Mark L. Smith is no stranger to book adaptations as he has previously adapted the screenplay for 2015’sThe Revenantalongside director Alejandro González Iñárritu. He also adapted the screenplay for theGeorge Clooney-directedscience fiction filmThe Midnight Sky(2020).
Related:The Marsh King’s Daughter Trailer Finds Daisey Ridley Fighting For Her Life in New Thriller
Although it has changed hands, the film appears to be a compelling thriller, with audiences clamoring to understand the intricate plot while returning the book to the bestseller lists. If this movie succeeds at the box office, we may begin seeing future films based on Dionne’s books.
Due to the film being completed well in advance of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, it will be released on time in the United States. However, the actors, of course, will not engage with the press or premieres before the strike has ended.
