Film Review – The Thing with Feathers (2025)

      The Thing with Feathers, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Dylan Southern.

      Featuring Benedict Cumberbatch, David Thewlis, Jessie Cave, Sam Spruell, Leo Bill, Vinette Robinson, Garry Cooper, Tim Plester, Richard Boxall, and Henry Boxall.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Following a tragic loss, a grieving father attempts to raise his young sons while contending with an unexpected, unpredictable, and unwelcome houseguest. Max Porter’s debut novel, Grief is The Thing With Feathers, was a massive success in 2015. It explores the journey of a writer and his two young sons as they cope with their mother's death, alternating perspectives among the father, the boys, and a crow—a human-sized bird that symbolizes their collective grief. Now, the story has been adapted into a film by director Dylan Southern, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the father.

      The film introduces a darker tone compared to the book, occasionally bordering on horror, heightening the frightening imagery of the crow and other unsettling elements that feed on grief. The overall structure remains similar to the novel, following both the father and sons as they strive to accept their loss and navigate returning to work and school. Adapting such a complex novel is challenging, and the film's deviations from the source material have diminished some of its emotional weight.

      Cumberbatch demonstrates, as he has in recent years, that he is often overlooked as a leading actor. His portrayal of anguish and confusion feels authentic, resonating with many who have experienced isolation and struggle. This performance is, in some respects, atypical for him—a more personal and emotional role compared to his franchise work. The two young actors deliver solid performances, helping the audience connect with their narrative arcs.

      David Thewlis effectively conveys menace as the voice of the crow, appearing intermittently and lurking in the background as a haunting presence that represents the father's anger and sorrow. The film's choice to emphasize the horrors associated with the crow, along with some vividly graphic imagery, results in a somewhat perplexing adaptation—raising the question of its target audience. It's unfortunate because both the performances and some visuals powerfully bring Porter’s narrative to life.

      The Thing With Feathers is an ambitious yet unclear adaptation of the bestselling novel. It features a strong performance by Benedict Cumberbatch and some imaginative visuals, but it ultimately struggles to reach the heights it might have achieved with a clearer vision.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Connor