‘Magpie’ Screenwriter Tom Bateman Talks Crafting the Perfect Twist and Collaborating With Wife Daisy Ridley

As a seasoned cinephile with roots deeply entrenched in the British film industry, I must admit that “Magpie” has left quite an impression on me. Tom Bateman’s debut as a screenwriter is nothing short of captivating, especially given his background as an actor. It seems he’s found a knack for crafting intricate narratives that keep audiences guessing – a trait not often seen in newcomers.


Tom Bateman, the writer behind “Magpie,” aims not for your guesses but rather your discomfort at the surprising finale of his movie.

He humorously expresses his desire for the crowd to subtly signal to someone nearby, ‘There seems to be something amiss here; something appears unusual,’

The film “Magpie” focuses on the lives of couple Anette (played by Daisy Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif). Their tranquility is disrupted when their daughter lands a role in a movie with a famous actress, Alicia (Matilda Lutz). As Anette grows increasingly suspicious about Ben’s feelings for Alicia, hidden truths start to unravel. Eventually, their buried secrets and deceit erupt, leading to a shocking climax.

In his first foray into screenwriting, actor Jason Bateman, recognized for roles in “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Behind Her Eyes,” creates an engrossing neo-noir thriller under the direction of Sam Yates. The script originated from an idea conceived by his wife and leading actress Ridley, who drew inspiration from a film production where a young actor portrayed her on-screen daughter. As Bateman shares with EbMaster, Ridley was fascinated by the intriguing dynamics on set, the confusing relationships, and the intense intimacy that developed. She found it captivating how this young actress referred to her as ‘mom,’ both in front of and behind the camera, blending reality and fiction.

Initially, Bateman planned his plot centered around a cunning actress aiming to snatch her on-screen kin away from their real lives. However, as he delved deeper into the narrative, his focus shifted towards the stay-at-home mom, whose family was in danger of being torn apart.

Which woman is experiencing her family being subjected to an unusual pressure and a severe deception by the father of her children? When we zeroed in on her situation, it all became clear: ‘It’s evidently a tale of retribution,’ I thought.

‘Magpie’ Screenwriter Tom Bateman Talks Crafting the Perfect Twist and Collaborating With Wife Daisy Ridley

Instead of disclosing the specifics of the revenge method, we’ll choose to keep it a mystery, as uncovering those details was part of the enjoyable puzzle-solving experience for Bateman, who, along with Ridley, was involved in the film’s production.

He emphasized the importance of honesty, stating, “We must never cheat. I don’t want the spectators to think they could have never figured it out. Everything should be out in the open. The audience should be part of this journey.” His goal was to scatter clues or hints (breadcrumbs) throughout, hoping that if someone were to rewatch later, they would exclaim, “Oh my goodness!

Absolutely, the title of the movie itself hints at some kind of unusual situation. Although American viewers might not recognize the symbolic significance of the magpie, British spectators would undoubtedly understand that magpies are clever birds known for their habit of snatching shiny objects.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself drawn to the concept of pilfering something – the captivation of something that’s not entirely what it appears. You see, thieves like magpies don’t truly comprehend what they’re taking. They just covet it because it sparkles. In my creative pursuit, I aimed to subtly rearrange the narrative pieces and challenge the audience’s comprehension of who the thief or the treasure might be.

‘Magpie’ Screenwriter Tom Bateman Talks Crafting the Perfect Twist and Collaborating With Wife Daisy Ridley

But the bird also carries a deeper meaning that closely echoes the crumbling relationship at the film’s heart. “Magpies are one of the only animals in the animal kingdom that mate for life,” Bateman says. “Seeing a magpie on its own is a very bad omen … If you see one on its own, it’s kind of an unnatural thing, and it represents something that shouldn’t be. They either haven’t found love, or they have lost love.”

It’s great news that Bateman and Ridley have not only maintained but strengthened their creative bond, with two more collaborative projects in development. Bateman is on the verge of finalizing funding for another movie he’s penned, based on an idea by Ridley, and the buzz surrounding this initial release has already sparked interest from significant industry figures. “We’re having a blast right now,” said Bateman, “because people are asking, ‘What else have you made?’ Well, I’ve got quite a few more projects up my sleeve.

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2024-10-23 22:31