Classic Theater Gets a Queer Lens with Nia DaCosta’s Reimagined ‘Hedda’

When you dive into Nia DaCosta’s latest film, “Hedda,” streaming now on Amazon Prime Video, it’s not essential to be familiar with Henrik Ibsen’s work. However, having a background on one of modern theater’s giants might enhance your viewing experience. Ibsen, a pivotal figure in theater alongside the likes of Anton Chekhov, is renowned for transforming drama with a psychological depth and character complexity that allowed audiences to explore human motivations beyond mere fate.

DaCosta’s “Hedda” takes inspiration from Ibsen’s renowned play, “Hedda Gabler.” This narrative follows a young woman of high societal standing, newly married to an academic struggling financially. Feeling trapped, she ignites chaos, grasping for a future that remains elusive. Premiered in 1891, the play became a staple of modern theater, with its title role being a coveted challenge for many leading female actors in the years since. On film, it has seen numerous adaptations, but none quite like DaCosta’s bold reimagining.

Instead of late-19th-century Scandinavia, DaCosta’s adaptation shifts the setting to 1950s England. Here, the story retains all of Hedda’s frustration as a woman of intelligence and unconventional morality. DaCosta adds layers of repressed "otherness" that renew the narrative for contemporary audiences. Notably, casting Black, openly queer actress Tessa Thompson in the title role redefines the character, imbuing her with new dimensions of relevance as a fierce embodiment of thwarted empowerment.

In this iteration, DaCosta also flips the gender of a pivotal character. Eilert Lövborg, originally a professional rival to Hedda’s husband, becomes Eileen (played by Nina Hoss). This change introduces a rich, complex history with Hedda, which is hinted at with humor and bold costume design, further complicating the narrative with a volatile love triangle involving Thea (Imogen Poots), another former lover of Hedda. This sapphic twist adds layers of tension to the already charged atmosphere.

The film unfolds over a single night—Hedda and George's homecoming party in their new, unaffordable country house. Amidst bourgeois conventions and a facade of respectability, Hedda maneuvers through a minefield of social politics, with revenge as much on her mind as her husband’s career prospects. DaCosta’s choice to compress the timeline heightens the urgency and stakes of the drama.

Visually, “Hedda” is a feast. Its sumptuous design and Sean Bobbitt’s cinematography transform it into a nostalgic tableau of upper-middle-class decadence. Abandoning the 19th-century setting breathes life into the narrative, where "color-blind" casting and queered relationships feel both plausible and organic. Thompson’s portrayal of Hedda as a rebellious force willing to dismantle societal structures is compelling. Her character isn’t striving for social advancement but is engaged in a deeper struggle against the hypocrisy and misogyny that constrict her potential.

The film’s integration of race and sexuality into the narrative underscores themes present in Ibsen’s original work: the societal pressures to conform. Within the party’s private environment, Hedda’s race and bisexuality appear accepted, but they underscore her struggle within the broader society. This adds a personal dimension to her arc—a tragedy for those who have felt marginalized due to their identity.

Does DaCosta’s adaptation add value to Ibsen’s original? While it perhaps diverges from the classic’s original intent, it enriches the play’s exploration of power dynamics by incorporating race and sexuality. Some might view these elements as tangential, but they foster a spirit of inclusion that deepens the story’s resonance for modern audiences. The ending offers a glimmer of hope absent in Ibsen’s version, which might not diminish the original’s impact but provides a fresh perspective.

With Thompson’s intense performance and her dynamic with co-star Hoss, “Hedda” stands as a sharp, provocative take on a dramatic cornerstone. Its sumptuous visuals sometimes evoke a sense akin to a Shonda Rhimes drama of intrigue and scandal, yet it echoes Ibsen’s themes with a contemporary twist.

Moreover, witnessing such unabashed depiction of lesbian attraction in a mainstream film is rare, making this adaptation a significant contribution to modern storytelling. It’s a celebration of queer identities and narratives, inviting us to embrace this vibrant reinterpretation of a theater classic.