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The life of a movie star can seem so glamorous and alluring. But when a young family ends up experiencing a little bit of that Hollywood lifestyle in the thriller Magpie, the family’s whole dynamic begins to crumble under the weight of their secrets and lies.
Magpie stars Daisy Ridley as Annette, a wife and mother of two small children who’s struggling to adjust to her lonely life in the country. When her daughter, Tilly (Hiba Ahmed), lands a big film role, it’s an exciting time for the whole family. But Annette’s husband, Ben (Shazad Latif), seems to have an unhealthy fascination with the film’s star, Alicia (Matilda Lutz), who’s recently gotten caught up in a scandal. And as Ben continues to accompany Tilly to the set each day, Annette becomes more and more suspicious of her husband and his intentions.
Even before Tilly’s first day on set, though, it’s clear that things aren’t perfect for Ben and Annette. There’s a noticeable tension here that only builds as Ben spends more time with Alicia and becomes more distant and distracted at home. And Annette’s suspicions aren’t unfounded. Ben is an untrustworthy character who lies about his wife to make her look unstable—and to make himself look like a sad and lonely victim. The more viewers get to know him, the less likable he becomes.
Daisy Ridley, meanwhile, gives an eerily haunting performance as the neglected wife and mom, who’s teetering on the edge. She loves her family, but she clearly misses her old life in the city, too. While her husband and daughter spend their days mingling with movie stars on set, she’s home alone with a colicky baby, isolated from everyone she once knew, and imagining the worst. And though she tries to hold on—to stay upbeat for her husband and kids—the cracks are obvious, and it’s just a matter of time before something breaks.
As the film’s production continues and the couple’s relationship becomes less and less stable, the suspense builds right along with Annette’s suspicions and Ben’s shady behavior. And the plot continues to twist until it comes to a somewhat hurried conclusion that you probably won’t see coming.
This story of lies and suspicions may not seem like anything new, but it takes a trio of seemingly unlikable characters and winds them together into a dark and suspenseful thriller that will keep audiences on edge.
You can get caught up in this family’s drama and suspense when Magpie arrives in theaters on October 25, 2024.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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