Nia DaCosta’s ‘Hedda’ Is a Wickedly Delicious Re-Imagining

You’re invited to a party! Just don’t embarrass me, please…

There is a quick image of a wet foot stepping onto hot pavement as someone exits a lake in the montage of that party planning in the opening of Nia DaCosta’s feverishly entertaining Hedda, a new, sexy adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s ever-so-produced play. I didn’t know why I kept thinking of this seemingly innocuous image before realizing that it reminded me of Tessa Thompson’s triumphant performance. Unlike the wet imprint, she doesn’t evaporate–she’s too steely and in control. Many partygoers might think their time with Hedda is like that wet imprint–they never have enough time with her before she is whisked off to speak with another person. Thompson’s Hedda is elusive, though: slinking around this huge house as relationships deteriorate, allies form, and weapons–both metaphorical and quite literal–are drawn. DaCosta’s latest film is her biggest triumph, a cunning, clever, and entertaining jolt of energy.

Hedda and her husband, George (Tom Bateman), are throwing a soiree to show off their new home and why not? When you spend that much money–enough to see the poorhouse looming in the distance–you should take every opportunity to flaunt what you’ve got while you’ve still got it. Hedda, though, is not the type of person to sit by her husband and wave like a dutiful wife. She is the type to go to a party–being invited is much more desirable than hosting. Cause a ruckus and leave before it gets pathetic is the best way to do it, right? George is hoping to squelch their money woes by impressing Professor Greenwood (Finbar Lynch), but he has one person to contend with: Eileen Lovborg, a writer and former lover of Hedda’s.

Eileen’s presence looms over the party’s beginning and distracts and occupies Hedda’s mind. Imogeen Poots’ Thea, a former school chum of Hedda’s is now involved when Eileen, and who wouldn’t be obsessed with her when she is embodied by the indomitable force of Nina Hoss. When Eileen finally enters the party, we react the same way Hedda does. She literally floats across the room, her feet obscured, and it’s the first time that we see Hedda almost flustered. She licks her lips and demurely touches her heaving chest before her feet find the ground again. There is heat radiating off of Thompson’s skin. Same, Hedda Gabler, same.

DaCosta has shifted the action from 19th century Norway to Britain in the 1950s, so the gender politics are easily accessed here. Eileen is changed to a woman from the character known as Eilert in Ibsen’s original text and countless adaptations (Hoss actually played the title role on stage). In a key scene, Eileen goes into a drawing room to share bawdy stories, and that tension of “being one of the guys” takes on an entirely new shade thanks to one simple but rewarding casting change. Hoss is an absolute force of nature.

Thompson is having the time of her life. Her accent and diction curl around DaCosta’s text like a viperous adversary that you want to shower you with attention. There is so much anticipation in her movement as she moves from one guest to another. When her eyes flick from Thea to George to Judge Roland Brack (who expects Hedda to pay him back by…well…), her intentions are kept close to her chest. Thompson breathes beguiling life back into a character we have seen over and over again. She crackles on screen and the camera loves her.

Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt cloaks this house in provocative shadow to allow the pitch black corners hide horny misdeeds. Costume designer Lindsey Pugh dresses Hedda with a plunging neckline in her main party dress. It cuts right underneath her breasts and several characters make no qualms about reaching for the locket that dangles there (it holds the key to a gun case–Hedda’s pride and joy), but Pugh gives her a columned pearl necklace that, I assume, Hedda wears to satiate her husband’s desire for some domesticity.

Much like the character herself, DaCosta breaks the rules by adapting a classic her own way. A lot of these characters know what they are getting themselves into when they accept an invitation, so you should too. Thompson lets Hedda rear her head back and roar.

Hedda debuts exclusively on Prime Video on October 29th.