Nia DaCosta reimagines Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler as a 1950s psychological drama
In short: In this 2025 adaptation, Tessa Thompson portrays a woman trapped in a stifling marriage, systematically sabotaging those around her. Set in 1950s England, the film explores themes of obsession, academic rivalry, and manipulation, culminating in a desperate attempt to reclaim agency through a series of increasingly destructive, calculated choices.
Nia DaCosta's 2025 film Hedda, based on Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler, shifts the narrative to 1950s England. The story follows Hedda Gabler Tesman, who is married to George Tesman, a debt-ridden academic. Hedda's life is upended by the arrival of her former lover, Dr. Eileen Lovborg, who is also competing against George for a prestigious professorship. The tension escalates as Hedda, harboring lingering feelings for Eileen, faces rejection and Eileen's new relationship with an aspiring writer, Thea Clifton.
The film depicts Hedda's descent into sabotage as she attempts to destroy Eileen's career and personal life. After pressuring Eileen into intoxication, Hedda steals and burns a revolutionary manuscript that Eileen and Thea co-authored. This act of malice, combined with Hedda's manipulation of those around her, leads to a series of tragic events, including an accidental shooting. The narrative is marked by a sense of entrapment, as Hedda finds herself increasingly cornered by Judge Brack, who discovers her role in the evening's chaos and attempts to exert control over her.
DaCosta's journey to bring this vision to the screen began in 2012, with the first screenplay draft written in 2018. The film, which premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, has received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising Tessa Thompson's performance. The production, which began principal photography in the United Kingdom in January 2024, is noted for its attempt to find a contemporary pulse within Ibsen's classic text, blending elements of period drama with a modern, psychological intensity.
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