Time: 107 Minutes
Age Rating: 16
Cast:
Tessa Thompson as Hedda Gabler
Nina Hoss as Eileen Lovborg
Imogen Poots as Thea Clifton
Tom Bateman as George Tesman
Nicholas Pinnock as Judge Roland Brack
Director: Nia DaCosta

I was interested in Hedda with it being Nia DaCosta’s latest movie and also starring Tessa Thompson. I’ve heard great things about it, and it lives up to all the praise, and is so far the best film I’ve seen from DaCosta.

As it turns out, Hedda is based on a play (Hedda Gabler) which had multiple adaptations before, although this was the first time I had viewed any version of this story. From looking into things afterwards, it turns out that Nia DaCosta has made some notable changes which alters the story and characters in interesting ways which makes it unique and stand on its own. At times it does feel like a stage play with it being set in one location, over one night and it being dialogue heavy but I was nonetheless engaged throughout, really benefitting from its sharp script. It is rather emotionally distant as if holding you at arm’s length, but I suppose that it is fitting enough for this movie. It is steadily paced and can lull at times, but there’s enough that intrigued me that I was on board with the movie from beginning to end.

Tessa Thompson is amazing, magnetic and captivating as the titular manipulative character, and it’s the best I’ve seen her. Nina Hoss is also stellar and has a really good onscreen presence, she and Thompson have incredible chemistry and match each other perfectly. The rest of the supporting cast is great too, especially Imogen Poots and Tom Bateman.

Nia DaCosta’s direction is great, she really creates this incredible atmosphere and vibe. The visuals are beautiful, with gorgeous lighting, strong camerawork, and with excellent production and costume designs. It’s also accompanied by a really good, brooding and jazzy score from Hildur Guðnadóttir which really fits the tone and vibe of the film.

Hedda is a sharply written, engaging, and stylishly directed period piece, with amazing performances, especially from Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss.