Beasts of the Southern Wild
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Book Brief
208
Play • Fiction
•
Modern Classic FictionLouisiana Bayou • Contemporary
1973
Adult
13+ years
Super Short Summary
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), an adaptation of Lucy Alibar’s one-act play "Juicy and Delicious," is a fantastical drama film by Benh Zeitlin. Set in the Louisiana bayou, it follows six-year-old Hushpuppy as she searches for her parents amidst an apocalyptic storm. The film explores climate change, poverty, and community resilience, earning multiple awards and an Academy Award nomination for Quvenzhane Wallis.
Fantastical
Emotional
Bittersweet
Heartwarming
Adventurous
Reviews & Readership
276 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin has been widely praised for its imaginative storytelling and the compelling performance of its young lead, Quvenzhané Wallis. Critics highlight the film's unique visual style and emotional depth. However, some found its narrative somewhat disjointed and its fantastical elements lacking clarity. Overall, it’s a visually arresting and emotionally resonant film.
Who Should Read Beasts of the Southern Wild?
Film enthusiasts who appreciate magical realism, emotional storytelling, and explorations of human resilience will enjoy Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin. Similar to readers of García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude and Morrison's Beloved, this audience values poetic narratives embedded in unique cultural contexts.
276 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The film was shot on 16mm film, which contributed to its unique, grainy visual aesthetic that enhances the raw and atmospheric storytelling.
Quvenzhané Wallis, cast as the lead character Hushpuppy, was only six years old during her audition for the role and became the youngest actress ever to receive a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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Beasts of the Southern Wild won the Caméra d'Or award at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, which is given to the best first feature film presented in the official selection.
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208
Play • Fiction
•
Modern Classic FictionLouisiana Bayou • Contemporary
1973
Adult
13+ years
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