Classic Ibsen heroine reimagined in new film adaptation

The iconic anti-heroine Hedda Gabler, often dubbed the “female Hamlet,” returns to the screen in a bold new adaptation, simply titled Hedda, now showing in select US and UK cinemas and set for international streaming on Prime Video from October 29.

The film, directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels), reimagines Ibsen’s 1891 play in 1950s England, exploring themes of desire, power, gender, race, and class. Tessa Thompson stars as Hedda, a complex, manipulative, yet vulnerable woman navigating societal constraints, while Nina Hoss plays the gender-swapped former lover, Eileen.

Hedda Gabler, a discontented bride trapped in a loveless marriage, has fascinated audiences for over a century. Known for her cunning, cruelty, and unpredictable impulses, the character continues to divide opinion. The film condenses the story into one night, during a decadent soirée where Hedda manipulates those around her, questioning norms and testing human behavior.

Scholars note that Ibsen created Hedda as a woman who defied contemporary expectations of femininity, a reflection of the patriarchal society of his time. Over the decades, celebrated actresses including Cate Blanchett, Maggie Smith, and Fiona Shaw have portrayed the role, cementing its status as one of the greatest female roles in theatre history.

DaCosta said the film highlights Hedda’s many masks, her vulnerability, and the tension between survival and desire. The adaptation also emphasizes the interplay of three women—Hedda, Eileen, and Thea—each negotiating freedom and power in a restrictive society.

The film’s release continues Hedda Gabler’s enduring legacy as a complex figure, both monstrous and sympathetic, whose story resonates across different eras.

Source: BBC