The 2022 film adaptation of Delia Owens' novel has a 34% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes but a 96% audience rating, highlighting a stark divide over its storytelling and tone.
01Summary
- 01The film, directed by Olivia Newman and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, was released in 2022 and is based on a novel that sold over 12 million copies.
- 02Critics panned the adaptation as 'tepid' and 'sanitised', with The Guardian giving it a two-star review for glossing over racism and hardship.
- 03Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes praised the film as 'rich and immersive', with many rejecting the critics' harsh assessments.
- 04The film faced pre-release controversy over the author's alleged link to a 1990s murder in Zambia and accusations of white feminism.
- 05As of October 2026, the film is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
02Why it matters
This divide reflects broader tensions between critics and general audiences, showing that professional reviews may not predict a film's popularity or streaming success.
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