Magpie is a measured, relationship-centered suspense film whose appeal rests more on atmosphere and Daisy Ridley’s performance than on a brisk pace. Its setup—a marriage strained after a glamorous movie star enters the family’s orbit—supports the film’s noir mood without giving away its turns. Whether it works for you may depend on how much you value tension and visual control over a tightly satisfying plot.
What is Magpie about?
When a couple’s daughter is cast in a film alongside glamorous movie star Alicia, the opportunity draws Ben into Alicia’s world. At home, his wife Anette is left caring for their baby and facing mounting emotional pressure. The story follows the strain this creates in their marriage and Anette’s growing suspicions about Ben.
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That domestic imbalance is the film’s central source of suspense: Ben moves closer to a glamorous film set while Anette bears more of the demands at home. The premise invites questions about attraction, jealousy, and unequal expectations in a relationship. It is best approached without plot details beyond the setup; the tension depends in part on what the film reveals as it goes.
Is Magpie a slow burn?
Yes, if by “slow burn” you mean deliberate, suspense-led pacing rather than frequent jolts or rapid plot movement. In its March 11, 2024 SXSW review, Robert Daniels of Screen called the film “a slow-burn gothic noir” and described its pace as measured. That is a critic’s characterization, not an official genre label, but it is a useful guide to the viewing experience.
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The film gives its domestic tensions time to gather force. Viewers looking for a quick-moving thriller may find that measured approach too restrained; viewers who enjoy unease accumulating through relationships and atmosphere are more likely to find it effective.
Is Magpie a neo-noir?
“Neo-noir” is a reasonable shorthand for the film’s shadowed suspense and morally uneasy relationship dynamics, but the available sources do not establish it as the filmmakers’ official genre classification. Rotten Tomatoes lists Magpie under Mystery & Thriller. Daniels’s “gothic noir” description emphasizes mood, while The Guardian approaches it as a tense portrait of a toxic relationship. Those are different critical lenses on a film that keeps its suspense close to home rather than building around a conventional detective mystery.
Rank #2
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What do the reviews say about the performances and plot?
Screen’s Daniels praises the film’s visual choices and Ridley’s performance, describing its petty tensions and creeping unease as part of its appeal. The Guardian likewise sees a tense relationship portrait, but advises readers not to dwell on plot details and judges the plotting less favorably. The distinction matters: the film’s atmosphere and performances may land even for a viewer who finds the story’s construction less persuasive.
So the critical case for watching it is strongest if controlled mood, an unsettled marriage, and Ridley’s portrayal of Anette interest you. If a carefully engineered, especially satisfying plot payoff is your main requirement, the reservations about the plotting are worth considering. These are individual critical assessments, not a uniform consensus.
Rank #3
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Who made Magpie, and who is in it?
Sam Yates directed the film, and Tom Bateman wrote the screenplay. Daisy Ridley stars as Anette and is credited as a producer. Screen’s review reports that the story concept originated with Ridley, with Bateman developing it into the screenplay. Shazad Latif plays Ben, and Matilda Lutz plays Alicia. The SXSW festival slate also lists Hiba Ahmed, Cherrelle Skeete, Pippa Bennett-Warner, and Alistair Petrie.
How long is Magpie, and what is its U.S. rating?
The Rotten Tomatoes U.S. listing gives the film a 90-minute runtime and an R rating for language and some sexuality. Those are details from that U.S. listing; rating and release information can differ by territory.
Rank #4
Is Magpie worth watching?
It is a better fit for viewers who enjoy slow-building domestic suspense, noir-tinged atmosphere, and performances that carry relationship tension. It may be less satisfying for viewers who want a fast thriller or consider plot mechanics the most important part of the experience. Screen’s enthusiasm for the film’s visuals and Ridley’s work, alongside The Guardian’s doubts about its plotting, captures the central trade-off without requiring spoilers.
Magpie premiered at SXSW in 2024. Rotten Tomatoes lists a limited U.S. theatrical release date of October 25, 2024 and names SHOUT! STUDIOS as the U.S. distributor. Those details do not establish where the film can currently be streamed or whether a physical edition is available; viewing options vary by territory and date.
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