Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong language and sexual references in tense thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Magpie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In MAGPIE, Anette (Daisy Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif) find their struggling marriage put under even more pressure when Ben falls for an actor (Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) on a movie set where their daughter is playing her first starring role. Downtrodden by years of neglect and verbal abuse, how far can Anette be pushed before she retaliates?
Is It Any Good?
Ridley gives a measured but powerful performance as the wronged wife in this tense thriller with a well-earned payoff. While Magpie's final twist isn't entirely surprising, it's undeniably impactful, and Latif's toxic turn as husband Ben makes the outcome all the more easy to celebrate. The disparity between the settings—a modern home surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and an elaborate country estate film location—help blur the lines between what's real and false, and shine a light on two very different performances of the role of wife and mother. Reflections in windows and mirrors provide a strong visual representation of Anette's fracturing psyche, put under increasing pressure by her husband's neglectful, abusive behavior and his burgeoning affair. Small acts of violence and loss of control hint at things to come. But emotions are tightly wound all round as the plot careens in the direction of a finale that proves as dark as it is satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of revenge in Magpie. Did you think revenge was warranted in this situation? Is taking revenge ever the right answer in real life?
How did the movie portray gender? What traditional gender roles were in play? How did characters lean into these stereotypical roles and how did they step away from them? Would you consider Anette a strong female lead and why?
How did the movie portray sex and relationships? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
There's lots of strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain level of language expected in a film like this? If so, why?
Anette showed great self-control during much of the movie. Why is this an important character strength? How did it help her, particularly toward the end of the film? Can you think of times you've shown self-control in your life?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : November 12, 2024
- Cast : Daisy Ridley , Shazad Latif , Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz
- Director : Sam Yates
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Shout! Studios
- Genre : Thriller
- Character Strengths : Self-control
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and some sexuality
- Last updated : November 14, 2024
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