Magpie

This film centres on married couple Annette (Daisy Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif), whose daughter Matilda (Hiba Ahmed) is cast alongside a glamorous movie star, Alicia Romano (Matilda Lutz). As the days go by Annette's suspicions are raised about the relationship between Ben and Alicia, and as Ben's relationship with with Alicia becomes deeper and deeper, Annette can't follow what is happening as Ben has begun locking his phone. But perhaps Annette is more devious than Ben realises... This is a really nicely done thriller. I'm not a great fan of Ridley, but she plays the sidelined wife really well and I truly felt her pain as her husband's relationship with the actress developed. There was something slightly off right from the start, but of all the things it could have been, I never once suspected what it really was. It's not until the end scenes that we get the full picture but no spoilers here, I want you to enjoy the ride!

The music was odd at times, the score was very rasping and didn't always fit the scene. There were some mildly silly plot points but nothing to spoil the film at all. I was saddened by yet another DEI casting. It seems like we must have an interracial relationship in every film we see these days, a far greater proportion than exists in real life, which means I can't always relate well to the cast. However Latif puts in a good performance and I always felt there was a brooding menace from him, which helped the tension throughout. All in all it's not a groundbreaking film but it's certainly a worthwhile thriller that everyone will enjoy, not just misandrists. I rated it a healthy 6.

The first half of the film is more of a character study, about a profoundly unhappy and lonely housewife, Anette, who soon finds out her husband, Ben, may be having an affair with a famous actress, Alicia. The second half of the film is more of a thriller where we see the tempo begin to pick up and the wheels begin turning in Anette's head.

The film is a true slow burn: at first chilly and frigid, then warm and bubbling, then explosive in its final act. It's gripping, engrossing, and tense throughout. It's anchored by a fantastic performance by Daisy Ridley. She's a true revelation. Her quiet moments of festering anger are wrenching. There's a symbolic scene where we see her crack a mirror after pushing into it for a few moments that symbolizes their shattering marriage. Shazad Latif is also good here.

The film does have some mediocre aspects. The trailer is quite misleading. It can drag and get a tad tedious at times. The ending may be cathartic and rewarding for some viewers, while mediocre for other viewers. Hiba Ahmed as Matilda, the daughter, is just okay, though child performances in film are often not very good. She felt more like a prop than a character. And Matilda Lutz, while really beautiful and charming and convincing as a movie star in the context of the film, was just alright. Perhaps it's because Lutz is Italian that many of her lines sounded odd or stilted.

If you like thrillers with strong acting, especially ones involving female rage, eroticism, and infidelity, this will be up your alley.

Magpie is a great showcase of Daisy Ridley's acting chops. She shows here that she can tackle a serious and complicated role outside of the Star Wars universe. The movie's premise is about a family's young daughter who is an actress who is starring along side a very popular actresss. The husband of the family starts to be infatuated with the actress and descends with being unfaithful to his wife who is played by Daisy Ridley. There is a little bit of cat and mouse game that is played here to effect and it's a slow burn. Magpie might not be for everyone who is looking for a fast paced thriller. Magpie gets a solid 7 stars out of 10 from me.

I just finished watching this and it kept my interest. You sort of new there was a build up in this movie but the writers kept it hidden pretty good. Since you were always waiting for the climax this thriller did its job pretty good. It does play to certain stereotypes of husbands and wife's. It is a bit unusual to see a movie breaking out of the liberal movement of 2024.

This is a great couples movie and it does not disappoint. Definitely a conversation starter after watching this. Which the junkyard of movies coming out of Hollywood this one is brave enough to go out into left field. Put this movie near the top of your list.

Living in a sumptuous modern country house, successful but blocked Anglo-Pakistani author Ben is stuck in a dour marriage to Annette. This state of affairs is telegraphed from the outset, with much of the marital discontent Ben's own fault. He is clearly bored by his unhappy wife, who is suppressing anger over his condescending attitude after she gave up her career to raise their two children. Their eldest child is 6YO Mathilda, who has been cast in a film as the daughter of its principal character. As Ben escorts Matilda to the set each day, he becomes attracted to lead actress Alicia, and Annette soon becomes suspicious.

Deeper discord becomes apparent as jealousy grows, leaving one wondering why the couple doesn't just call time on their dismal union. Meanwhile the narrative settles into a creative rut with all three main characters depicted as deceitful, manipulative and fairly unlikable. The story trots along an unexceptional path until it arrives at the surprise twist and melodramatic climax which is obligatory for this movie genre. The project may well be commercially successful, but thirty seconds of reflection after the end titles will have many shaking their heads at the plot's implausibility and the characters' shallowness. The acting is decent, but the screenplay's deficiencies leave one yearning for the richness of a classic like 'Body Heat' which enabled Kathleen Turner to transform deceit and manipulation into an art form.