Nia DaCosta’s Hedda isn’t just another adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 masterpiece Hedda Gabler—it’s a bold reimagining that transforms the source material through a contemporary queer and racial lens. With Tessa Thompson in the title role, the film makes Hedda a Black woman navigating a predominantly white high-society academic circle, fundamentally reshaping the character’s motivations and struggles.
Now streaming on Prime Video after its theatrical release on October 22, 2025, this adaptation has garnered critical acclaim and Oscar buzz for Thompson’s commanding performance. But how different is it from Ibsen’s original play? Let’s explore the transformative changes that make this version distinctly modern.
Table of Contents
Hedda Reinvents Key Differences at a Glance
| Element | Original Play (1891) | Film Adaptation (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Time Period | Late 19th Century Norway | 1950s England |
| Hedda’s Race | White Norwegian | Mixed-race Black woman |
| Love Interest | Eilert Løvborg (Male) | Eileen Løvborg (Female) |
| Structure | Four acts over multiple days | Five chapters in one night |
| Ending | Definitive tragic suicide | Ambiguous, open to interpretation |
| Runtime | ~2.5 hours (stage) | 107 minutes |
The Game-Changing Gender Swap
The most transformative change is making Ejlert Løvborg into Eileen Løvborg, played by German actress Nina Hoss. This gender swap adds profound LGBTQ+ dimensions to the story that resonate powerfully with modern audiences.
In Ibsen’s original, Hedda’s reluctance to commit to Ejlert remains somewhat ambiguous. But with two women in love in the 1950s setting, it makes complete sense why they wouldn’t publicly commit to each other—the era’s homophobia provides concrete justification for Hedda’s fear and retreat.
Director DaCosta explained her creative choice: “I wanted another woman, another parallel path for her. I wanted a foil to Hedda.” Eileen also faces extra scrutiny in the academic world as a woman, adding more motivation to rage against the system.
For more insights into LGBTQ+ representation in cinema and how modern adaptations are reshaping classic narratives, explore our entertainment section.
Race as a Central Theme
This version’s Hedda is a mixed-race woman born out of wedlock to the renowned General Gabler, inheriting only his prized guns and scant proximity to high society. Her desperate need to maintain wealth and social standing takes on entirely new urgency when viewed through the lens of racial discrimination.
Thompson’s performance incorporates this complexity brilliantly. She speaks with an affected Transatlantic accent reminiscent of classic Hollywood stars like Katharine Hepburn—a carefully crafted performance perfected through years of being an outsider, which she sees as necessary for survival.
The film also explores this through her relationship with Judge Brack (Nicholas Pinnock), another Black person who has secured standing among the white elite. He’s the only one who truly understands Hedda’s position and the masks she must wear.
Structural Transformation: One Wild Night
Rather than spreading events across multiple days, Hedda compresses the entire plot into a single chaotic evening party. This structural change keeps all characters in close proximity, ratcheting up tension and creating a pressure-cooker atmosphere.
Instead of sending George and Ejlert to an off-stage party—a key event in the original play—DaCosta brings everyone together under one roof. This maintains the film’s energy and allows the audience to witness every manipulation, seduction, and betrayal firsthand.
For more analysis of film adaptations and cinematic storytelling, check out our latest reviews and features.
The Controversial Ending
Perhaps the most divisive change is the ending. In Ibsen’s play, Hedda definitively shoots herself after facing blackmail and the prospect of total submission. DaCosta’s film leaves it ambiguous—as Hedda stands at water’s edge, announcements that Eileen has survived seem to give her pause, making it unclear whether she steps into the water or returns to land.
This open-ended conclusion fundamentally alters the story’s meaning. Some critics argue it offers hope that Hedda might find renewed purpose through Eileen’s survival. Others feel it softens the original’s brutal honesty about the devastating constraints placed on women.
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2025, and has received strong reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, 90% of 67 critics gave positive reviews, with the consensus praising Thompson’s commanding performance and DaCosta’s contemporary pulse within the classic text.
Thompson herself was drawn to the role’s complexity: “I don’t think that any of us fit too squarely into any of the boxes we try to put ourselves in. I think we are all so much more complicated and in conflict internally.”
Visit the official Prime Video page to stream the film or check out Wikipedia’s comprehensive overview for additional production details.
Why This Adaptation Matters
DaCosta’s Hedda proves that classic works can be transformed for modern audiences without losing their essential power. By centering race, queerness, and female agency, the film asks contemporary questions about identity, conformity, and freedom—themes that resonate as powerfully today as they did in 1891.
Whether you’re a purist who prefers Ibsen’s original tragedy or a modern viewer craving fresh perspectives on canonical works, Hedda offers a visually stunning, emotionally complex experience that honors its source while boldly charting its own path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hedda a faithful adaptation of Hedda Gabler?
No, Hedda makes significant changes to the source material while maintaining its core themes. The most notable differences include making Hedda a mixed-race Black woman instead of white, transforming her male love interest Ejlert into a woman named Eileen (creating a queer relationship), compressing the timeline into one night, and changing the definitive tragic ending to an ambiguous conclusion. The film is set in 1950s England rather than 1890s Norway, fundamentally reshaping the character’s motivations through modern racial and LGBTQ+ perspectives.
Where can I watch Hedda starring Tessa Thompson?
Hedda is streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video as of October 29, 2025, following its limited theatrical release on October 22, 2025. The film runs 107 minutes and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025. It’s also available to rent or purchase on Prime Video for viewers without a subscription, making it accessible to audiences worldwide who want to experience Nia DaCosta’s acclaimed reimagining of the classic play.
