Daisy Ridley's Magpie Is a Dull Psychological Thriller Yearning for a Sharper Edge
A Promising Premise Wasted
Daisy Ridley stars in "Magpie," a psychological thriller that follows a young woman named Casey as she grapples with the trauma of a childhood abduction. The film has a promising premise, but it ultimately fails to deliver on its potential.The film's biggest flaw is its lack of focus. It tries to be too many things at once, and as a result, it never fully succeeds at any of them. The film is part psychological thriller, part coming-of-age story, and part love story. This lack of focus makes it difficult for the film to build momentum, and it ultimately leaves the viewer feeling unsatisfied.
Another major problem with "Magpie" is its characters. Casey is a bland and unrelatable protagonist. She is so passive that it is difficult to root for her. The supporting characters are equally underdeveloped, and they do little to add to the story.
A Lack of Tension
A psychological thriller needs to be tense and suspenseful, but "Magpie" is anything but. The film's pacing is slow and deliberate, and there is little sense of urgency. The film's climax is particularly anticlimactic, and it fails to provide the catharsis that the viewer has been waiting for.
Overall, "Magpie" is a disappointment. It has a promising premise, but it is ultimately let down by its lack of focus, underdeveloped characters, and lack of tension.