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I recently had the chance to watch the adaptation of “Grief” “The Thing with Feathers.” I want to share my review so you can decide if it’s worth your time in theaters or on streaming. I’ll cover the film’s background, highlight key changes from the original novel, and share my overall thoughts.
The film keeps some essence of Max Porter’s 2015 novel. However, it changes the tone, character motivations, and visual style. These shifts impacted my overall impression.
Setting the Scene
The Thing with Feathers movie is directed by Dylan Southern. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a grieving widower with two young sons. This drama is based on Max Porter’s book but adds more horror elements than I expected. Certain jump scares and unsettling images clash with the intimate, poetic feel of the original story.
The script shifts key plot points and imagery. As a result, novel purists may feel unsettled. If you’re new to the story, get ready for scenes that blend emotional moments with unsettling horror elements.
Identifying Key Changes in The Thing With Feathers Movie
One of the biggest changes is the father character. In the novel, he’s a scholar studying Ted Hughes’ poetry. This connects directly to the mysterious crow that appears during his grief. This literary angle feels essential, giving the crow strong symbolic power. In the film, the father is instead a graphic novelist. I respect creative reinterpretations, but removing the Ted Hughes scholarship takes away a key anchor for the crow’s meaning.
I sensed the creators wanted to broaden the The Things with Feathers film’s appeal by moving away from the academic subplot. However, this change weakened some of the original’s poetic elements for me. Critics at [RogerEbert]noted that this shift frustrated many fans of the book.
Exploring the Crow’s Significance
If you’ve read the original novel or enjoy symbolic creatures, the crow may draw you to The Thing with Feathers movie. In the novel, the crow represents grief. It brings chaos and a strange comfort. However, in this adaptation, the crow feels jarring. The director uses it as a horror element with giant wings and jump scares, changing the tone. The crow shifts from a poetic symbol to a near-monster. I hoped for deeper reflections, but mostly saw brief moments of dread.
It might still captivate fans of the classic haunted-house vibe. However, I found myself comparing it to other iconic horror creatures. The crow’s design reminded me of “The Babadook.” Both rely on dark corners, silhouettes, and the idea that grief can become a haunting. According to [RogerEbert], this is where many feel the crow’s impact weakens. Instead of a strong metaphor, it sometimes seems like a gimmick.
Noting the Visual Style
Ben Fordesman’s cinematography enhances the spooky direction. He often uses deep shadows to blend the crow with the background. I liked the moments when it was hard to tell if you were seeing the creature or just a trick of the light. However, this dark style sometimes made it hard to see the actors’ expressions, which are vital in a story about grief.
The Thing with Feathers film features a stylized crow that stands out once your eyes adjust. I appreciate the ambition, but sometimes it feels unintentionally funny. The second or third time the crow jumped from the dark, I felt more startled than enlightened. If you enjoy bold horror-fantasy visuals, these scenes might thrill you. However, they overshadow the softer emotional layers in the story.
Highlighting the Performances in The Thing With Feathers
Benedict Cumberbatch gives a strong performance as a grieving father. I had some issues with The Thing with Feathers film’s horror style and its differences from the novel, but his acting feels real. The child actors, Richard and Henry Boxall, are also impressive. They show confusion and heartbreak that resonate in nearly every scene. Their performances help keep the heart of Max Porter’s idea alive.
The cast’s emotional depth gives a grounded feel. Much of the The Thing with Feathers movie explores longing, memory, and broken family ties. This reflects what made the novel resonate with many. If you ignore the horror style and look at the father-child bond, you may notice hints of a tender story that received praise in literary circles.
Final Thoughts
When I started my review of The Thing with Feathers, I expected a deep look at grief. I wanted an adaptation that honored Max Porter’s rich text. Instead, I found a darker version that relies on visual scares and an overpowering crow figure. The literary essence is still present, but it often gets lost in the film’s drive to be frightening.
If you want to see a big view of heartache or Cumberbatch in an emotional role, check out The Thing with Feathers movie. Be prepared for a horror-tinged journey that differs from the tender moments many loved in the original novel. I wanted more subtlety, but fans of eerie imagery and emotional drama may still enjoy it.
The performances truly anchor the story. The shift from Ted Hughes’ poetry to the graphic novel does lessen the crow’s symbolism. Still, the father’s struggles with parenthood and sorrow are very moving. Whether you enjoy or dislike the horror, you’ll walk away from The Thing with Feathers with a new insight into the strange and unsettling ways grief can appear.