Hedda

Hedda, a 2025 release starring Tessa Thompson, is a film that ultimately falls flat despite the talent involved. While Thompson has earned praise for bringing LGBTQ+ representation to her roles, this film leans so heavily on that aspect that it feels like it dominates the narrative rather than serving it. Audiences expecting a compelling story or engaging character work are likely to find themselves disconnected from the film's intentions.

The story itself is uninspired and struggles to maintain interest. The screenplay lacks depth, momentum, or emotional resonance, leaving the audience with little to invest in. Scenes drag without meaningful tension or development, and the dialogue feels flat and forced. Even Thompson's performance, which might have been the film's anchor, cannot fully salvage the lackluster material.

From a directorial standpoint, the film appears uncertain about its own identity. The director attempts to blend character exploration with broader narrative arcs but fails to establish cohesion. The pacing is erratic, and many scenes seem to exist without purpose, creating large gaps that disrupt the flow and engagement of the story.

Structurally, the film suffers from numerous plot holes and unresolved subplots. Characters behave inconsistently, and motivations are unclear, making it difficult for viewers to connect or empathize. The tension that a drama or character-driven film typically relies on is absent, leaving the audience detached throughout the experience.

Visually, the film does little to elevate the story. While technically competent, the cinematography and production design cannot compensate for the dull script and uneven performances. The film never creates a sense of atmosphere or immersion, which is crucial for drawing viewers into its world.

Overall, Hedda is a disappointing release that struggles on nearly every level. Despite Tessa Thompson's talent and presence, the film's poor storytelling, lack of focus, and weak screenplay result in an unengaging experience. It is not recommended, and it's unlikely to leave any lasting impression on viewers.

Hedda Gabler (Tessa Thompson) is throwing a party at her mansion. By the end of the night, someone is getting shot and she gets interrogated.

I don't know anything about the play. Director Nia DaCosta has done some good-looking functional work. This is a costume drama. It looks good. Tessa is solid. Nina Hoss is excellent. I wouldn't mind an Altman-like drama. I am distracted by the opening reveal of the shooting. I kept treating this like a murder mystery when I should be enjoying this as a chaotic one-night character drama.

I enjoyed this quite a bit. But it seems it's a very polarizing movie.

I liked Hedda. She's got that subtle sexy femininity going for her, and a definite badass energy that works for this century, probably more than it did for hers. She's gorgeous, manipulative, ambitious, ruthless, probably empty. But we don't care about these things that much these days. They're not necessarily negative attributes. And after all she play's people's weaknesses to appease her own. It takes a while to understand what she's up to but it was delightful watching her. Tessa Thompson really makes her captivating and mysterious enough. She keeps us guessing to the very end. There's always something more to Hedda. She asserts her right to choose her fate and her story even when cornered.

I liked the debauchery of it. Of the house, the party, the decor, the insatiableness, the madness. Quite a feast visually.

Director Nia DaCosta returns to the stage writing and directing her own version of Henrik Ibsen's play, giving a modern and daring approach to the classic theatrical piece.

Starring Tessa Thompson, Tom Bateman, Nina Hoss and Imogen Poots, the story follows a general's daughter living in a house she hates, trapped in an unhappy marriage, while a former lover reappears in her life.

Hedda is a solid film that confirms Nia DaCosta as one of the best directors working today, showcasing her talent in delivering this intense, modern, and captivating adaptation. It's an interesting journey that rests primarily on the shoulders of an outstanding Tessa Thompson, who imbues Hedda with multiple layers, making her a character who is both captivating and cruel.

The cast is one of the film's greatest strengths. Not only does Thompson dazzle, but the German actress Nina Hoss captivates with her intensity, and the always impeccable Imogen Potts completes a trio of women who fascinate in every scene. The director deconstructs Ibsen's precise mechanism and opens up space for a series of striking moments. A sensual and ingenious reinterpretation of Ibsen's classic, it respects the great theatrical tradition while transforming it into vibrant and ecstatic cinema.

With meticulous and carefully designed staging, where every corner tells a story and every light highlights what we need to see, accompanied by Hildur Guðnadóttir's evocative music that sets the pace and intensity of the narrative offered by its director. A brilliant artistic work that transports us to the essence of melodrama, representing the repression that persists to this day.

A well-made film that leaves a good impression, even if it's not perfect and may not appeal to everyone. It's entertainment worth appreciating and enjoying, especially thanks to a nuanced protagonist who dazzles with every decision her brilliant mind makes. A sensual journey that captivates without reservation.

In conclusion...

MGM presents an intriguing offering from one of today's most promising directors, achieving something unique and authentic. It's a solid film, not perfect, but perhaps it doesn't need to be. Sensual, seductive, and captivating, "Hedda" is a work worth seeing and appreciating, even with its imperfections.

Nina Hoss, as Eileen Lovborg, has the best material in this adaptation, and she makes the most of it. The queer love triangle at the center of this film develops her character the most and in some ways is more intense than the original play's treatment of the male character "Ejlert Lovborg." Unfortunately other aspects of the adaptation are not as successful or convincing, but I hope that Hoss, as Eileen, is recognized for making the movie worth watching and talking about.........I should also point out that reimagining the action at an all-night party created a dramatic arc that was clever. And that many of the other actors were good but simply didn't have enough material to do their complex characters justice.