Helena has never known anything more than the instinct of living in the marshy woods through the teachings of her loving dad, and the familiar phrase, “Protect my family”. That is until her mom seeks the rescue of a local sheriff who takes her and her mother away from the “monster” she learned to love. Now with a family of her own, Helena is challenged once more to “protect my family” when that monster returns. The only question is at what cost is she willing to pay?
Based on the book by Karen Dionne, the film does an exceptional job of capturing the nuance of the story inside. More over, Daisy Ridley uses her Jedi charm to further encompass the heart and soul of Helena, especially all the emotions she hides from her own family all in a name to protect them. Similarly, the young actress, Brooklynn Prince, does a great job of portraying a younger version of Ridley. One can see the same expressions in both that truly makes it believable to the audience, especially when we realize that she alone is the only one to find her father when it comes down to the facts.
Moreover, Ben Mendelsohn, taps into his Rogue nature as we see some raw uncensored moments where we wonder how can Helena love him so much. That being said, the film may not be for everyone, as there are some harsh scenes that might be too intense for the younger audiences. Ultimately though, it’s a movie that will have you on the edge of your seats, and if you know the story, you will find wonder in seeing it unfold on the big screen.
The Marsh King’s Daughter came out in theaters Nov 3 and is currently showing in limited theater near you.