Prime Video Just Dropped a Remake of a Classic Play – It's a Real Gem With 90% on RT

Hedda, a bold and radical reimagining of Henrik Ibsen's classic play by director Nia DaCosta, is now available on Prime Video.

By shifting the setting from 19th-century Norway to 1950s England and reimagining the main characters, DaCosta offers more than just a new version – she makes a powerful statement about women's destiny, freedom, and repressed anger.

What Is 'Hedda' About?

Hedda marries scientist George and finds herself trapped in an expensive yet soulless country mansion. In an attempt to solve their financial problems, the couple tries to enlist the support of an influential professor.

However, their plans are ruined when Eileen – Hedda's former lover, a brilliant scientist, and George's competitor for a position – shows up at their party. Eileen is presenting her new book on sexuality, which she co-authored with Thea, who left her husband for her work.

The arrival of these women unsettles Hedda, awakening her long-suppressed feelings of jealousy and anger and her longing for lost freedom.

Nia DaCosta Turns a Classic Play Into a Work About and for Women

Nia DaCosta isn't just updating the set design – she's reimagining the entire source material. The most significant change is that the play's key male character, Eilert, becomes a woman named Eileen.

This transforms the story from a drama about an unhappily married woman into a sweeping exploration of female destiny. Hedda, Eileen, and Thea emerge as three facets of a single phenomenon, all of whom strive for freedom, love, and recognition but take different paths.

Hedda chose a "safe" marriage and lost, Eileen struggles within the academic system, and Thea sacrifices her family for her creative work. Their stories reflect each other, creating a complex picture of women's choices and their consequences.

Tessa Thompson Delivers One of Her Best Performances in 'Hedda'

Tessa Thompson portrays a character of incredible complexity and strength. Her portrayal of Hedda is not that of a yearning beauty, but rather, that of a predator trapped in a cage of convention.

She is intelligent, passionate, and destructive, and her anger stems from a profound internal conflict between who she is and who society forces her to be.

Thompson masterfully conveys this rage, which is suppressed behind a veneer of impeccable manners and luxurious dresses.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Hedda'?

• Hedda has 90% from critics and 60% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 5.7/10.

• On Letterboxd, Hedda scored 3.4/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Hedda'?

Hedda is available to stream exclusively on Prime Video.