Rebecca (2020 film)

Rebecca (film)

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2020 (2020)
Founder	Ben Wheatley (director), Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse (screenwriters)
Products	Film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's novel Rebecca
Parent	Netflix

Rebecca is a 2020 British romantic thriller helmed by director Ben Wheatley, featuring a screenplay penned by Jane Goldman, Joe Shrapnel, and Anna Waterhouse. The movie is an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel and stars Lily James, Armie Hammer, and Kristin Scott Thomas. It delves into the emotional turmoil experienced by a young bride after marrying a wealthy widower whose life remains dominated by the memory of his deceased wife, Rebecca.

The film premiered in select cinemas on 16 October 2020 before becoming available digitally on Netflix five days later. Critical reception was largely unfavorable, with many reviewers drawing negative comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock’s celebrated 1940 version.

Plot

While employed by Mrs. Van Hopper in Monte Carlo, a young woman encounters Maxim de Winter, a recently widowed man. Their relationship quickly progresses to engagement and marriage, leading them to relocate to Maxim’s English estate, Manderley.

Upon arrival at Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter meets Mrs. Danvers, the loyal housekeeper who remains devoted to Maxim’s late wife, Rebecca. The household staff and social circle continue to idolize Rebecca, casting a persistent shadow over the new bride. Mrs. Danvers actively undermines her self-esteem, intensifying the household tensions.

An unexpected visit from Jack Favell, Rebecca’s cousin—invited by Mrs. Danvers—provokes Maxim’s ire. He bans Favell from the property and accuses Mrs. de Winter of infidelity, charges she denies. A confrontation with Mrs. Danvers leads to a fragile truce as they work together to revive the Manderley Costume Ball. However, when Mrs. de Winter dons a gown formerly owned by Rebecca, guests react with shock and Maxim’s anger resurfaces.

Feeling manipulated and uncertain about Maxim’s true feelings, Mrs. de Winter flees the estate. Mrs. Danvers expresses her disdain for her and attempts to drive her toward suicide but is interrupted by the discovery of Rebecca’s shipwrecked boat containing her body.

The subsequent investigation uncovers deeper complexities: Maxim reveals that his marriage to Rebecca was unhappy; she was manipulative and falsely claimed pregnancy by another man prior to her death. He admits to killing her in a fit of rage and disposing of her body in the boat.

Despite these revelations, Mrs. de Winter stands by Maxim during the trial where evidence suggests Rebecca’s death was not self-inflicted. Favell tries to blackmail them with an incriminating letter; Maxim is arrested.

Mrs. Danvers reveals Rebecca’s hatred for men; Mrs. de Winter dismisses her and uncovers medical records confirming that Rebecca could not have been pregnant due to terminal cancer—supporting the conclusion that she took her own life.

After being acquitted, Maxim and his wife return home only to find Manderley engulfed in flames—Mrs. Danvers set the fire before fleeing. Mrs. de Winter confronts Mrs. Danvers at the cliffs; after a final plea fails, Mrs. Danvers leaps to her death.

Years later, Mrs. de Winter envisions a future with Maxim in Cairo as they search for a new residence—symbolizing hope and renewal following Manderley’s destruction.

Production

In November 2018, it was revealed that Lily James and Armie Hammer would headline this project directed by Ben Wheatley, with Netflix set as distributor. By May 2019, additional cast members including Kristin Scott Thomas, Keeley Hawes, Ann Dowd, Sam Riley, and Ben Crompton were confirmed.

Principal photography commenced on 3 June 2019 at multiple historic locations: six manor houses or estates were utilized—Cranborne Manor in Dorset; interior scenes were shot at Hatfield House; back garden sequences filmed at Mapperton; staircases captured at Loseley Park; corridors at Petworth House; and kitchen scenes at Osterley Park. Additional filming occurred at Hartland Quay in Devon. The bedrooms representing both the former and current Mrs. de Winter were constructed on sets.

This approach of employing authentic historic estates contributed significantly to portraying Manderley convincingly, enhancing the film’s aesthetic quality and strengthening its appeal within the global streaming market.

Release

Rebecca made its debut in selected cinemas across the United Kingdom on 16 October 2020, followed by an international release on Netflix on 21 October 2020.

During its initial 48 hours, the film became Netflix's most-streamed title and secured the second spot over the weekend. However, it fell out of the platform's top 10 by the subsequent weekend. By November, it was recognized as the 11th most-viewed direct-to-streaming movie of 2020 up to that time.

Reception

Peter Debruge of Variety observed that throughout much of the film, Rebecca successfully balances homage to its original source with a unique style, though it ultimately stumbles in the concluding portion.

Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian awarded the film two stars out of five, labeling it as "overly elaborate yet lacking impact," and questioned the director's purpose behind this adaptation.

Constance Grady of Vox also gave a two-star rating, critiquing Wheatley's direction by noting the absence of authentic gothic horror elements and a failure to establish an engaging atmosphere.

See also

• Rebecca (1940 film), American version directed by Alfred Hitchcock
• Rebecca (1979 TV series)
• Rebecca (1997 miniseries), British-German production helmed by Jim O'Brien
• Rebecca (musical)