Daisy Ridleyfirst garnered worldwide attention after landing the role of Rey in the most recent trilogy of theStar Warsfranchise. Since then, she’s branched out beyond the realm of Jedis and Siths but has yet to capture the level of notoriety her performances warrant. In her latest film,The Marsh King’s Daughter, Ridley plays a woman, Helena, forced to confront her complicated past when her kidnapper father breaks out of prison and tracks her down. A thriller with plenty of emotional nuances, Ridley manages to convey the depth of her character with ease while also showcasing elements of grit and action she clearly excels in portraying.
Despite thelackluster commercial and critical responseof Ridley’s newest film, it showcases what she is capable of as an actress and highlights the possible trajectory of her career going forward. While the film overall ultimately fell flat, Ridley’s performance did not. She’s more than capable of steering the emotional narrative of a film and does so effortlessly. Her role as the title character inThe Marsh King’s Daughterdemonstrates her capacity to carry the weight of a film on her own, showcases her depth and range as an actress, and highlights her ability to take on action roles in the future without wielding a lightsaber. If her latest role is any indication, Ridley’s career can easily move beyond the realm ofStar Wars, and it should.
Ridley Can Carry a Film
The Marsh King’s Daughter
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Daisy Ridley is no stranger to the spotlight thanks to her involvement withStar Wars, but she has yet to truly garner the same kind of notoriety as such actresses as Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone, or Jennifer Lawrence. That isn’t to say she’s unknown. Rather, her statusbeyond Rey andStar Warshasn’t been developed enough despite her capabilities. Ridley’s presence on-screen commands the energy required to carry a film, and her recent portrayal of Helena inThe Marsh King’s Daughteris indicative of what she can do.
Despite the film’s faultsand awkward pace, Ridley’s performance manages to keep it afloat and maintain the interest of viewers. Her performance alone drives the story and its emotional narrative forward, while many others ultimately fall flat or feel underdeveloped. Audiences want to like the film because of Ridley and how she carries herself on-screen, which is no easy feat for an actress to accomplish. As such, those in the industry would do well to cast her in more leading roles.
Ridley Has Depth and Range
In a film about a woman attempting to overcome theactions of her kidnapperfather, Ridley’s performance requires the depth and range necessary to convey the complicated feelings of love, fear, and disdain Helena feels toward her father. The subtleties in Ridley’s facial expressions show the audience what her character is thinking without saying a word, allowing viewers to feel as though they’re inside her head while those closest to her remain at a distance. Simultaneously vulnerable and yet withdrawn from her family, Ridley exudes the complexities of Helena without skipping a beat.
Ridley’s portrayal of Helena embodies the kind of trauma a person would experience in the wake of what she faced as a child without consuming her identity, at least in the beginning. Only whenher father is thrust back into her lifeis Helena’s world turned upside down. Balancing the rising fear she endures when the secret about her past is revealed with the joy she experiences as a mother, Ridley manages to take the audience along with her as she tries to navigate her path forward. Such a performance demonstrates why Ridley deserves more leading roles as her career moves forward.
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Ridley Can Take on Action Roles
AlthoughRidley’s most famous role as Reyencompasses a lot of action sequences, it doesn’t go far beyond wielding a lightsaber. InThe Marsh King’s Daughter, audiences see a glimpse of what she is capable of as an action star, and it feels right. Ridley’s physical movements on screen when tracking her father through the forest and marsh, weapon in hand, feel natural. She makes it seem easy, which means she knows what she’s doing and does it well. Although the film is technically more of a thriller than an action movie, there are enough movements of action and grit that showcase Ridley’s abilities to take on an action role.
Unfortunately for Ridley,The Marsh King’s Daughteris unlikely to garner any worthwhile success. However, if her performance in the film is any indication of her developing career, audiences should look forward to the roles she takes on next. Her acting chops clearly warrant a path outside theStar Warsuniverse, and those in the industry should take notice.
The Marsh King’s Daughteris in theaters now.
