Just like Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 Oscar-winning adaptation, Netflix’s Rebecca starts the same way: with the narrator, an unnamed young woman (Lily James) declaring, "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again." Manderley, an enormous English mansion, is one of the more well-known places in pop-culture history, and just like it does in other versions of this story of love and betrayal, it looms large in this latest adaptation. The other thing that looms large is the title character, the deceased first wife of Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), who comes to haunt her successor. Yet while this new screen version of Rebecca hits the same beats as other iterations of the story, that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer. In fact, Netflix’s Rebecca stays true to the original story while thankfully limiting the infantilization of the main character and emphasizing and filling out events in a way that wouldn’t have been possible 80 years ago. This makes the movie a satisfying period piece that still offers enough to keep modern audiences interested.
James’ character starts the story as the reserved companion to a grasping lady, Mrs. Van Hopper (Ann Dowd). However, after she meets de Winter -- and Mrs. Van Hopper conveniently takes ill -- the pair embark on a whirlwind romance that ends with Maxim proposing marriage before Mrs. Van Hopper can leave with her. Soon, the extremely wealthy Maxim has whisked the new Mrs. de Winter to Manderley, his beloved family estate. And that’s where things start to go sour.
While Mr. de Winter’s first wife passed away a year ago, signs of her are strewn throughout the mansion. Monogrammed R’s appear on everything from stationary to hair brushes; meanwhile, everyone Mrs. de Winter speaks to talks about how perfect Rebecca was -- and how in love Maxim was with her. Making things even worse is Maxim’s refusal to discuss his first wife and the housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers' (Kristin Scott Thomas) attempts to do everything she can to make Maxim’s new wife feel like she’ll never measure up. Soon, this takes a psychological toll on Mrs. de Winter and she starts to crumble under her assumptions about Rebecca's superiority and how much Maxim loved her. For those unfamiliar with the rest of the story, to say more would only lead to spoilers, but it's safe to note there’s more going on here than meets the eye. It's also worth mentioning that in certain ways the narrative told in this adaptation is more faithful to Du Maurier’s novel than Hitchcock’s movie is, especially where its big revelation is concerned.
So while the movie shares many similarities with Hitchcock’s film, director Ben Wheatley wisely approaches the proceedings more like a ghost story than a thriller. This makes the specter of Rebecca seem less like a source of intrigue than an apparition that’s impossible to eradicate. Moreover, Wheatley plays up the strength the second Mrs. de Winter finds within herself to face the trials she encounters, making parts of the story come across like something of an empowering coming-of-age tale.
Throughout the movie, James and Scott Thomas are impressive sparring partners, rooting their characters’ arcs in the love they feel for Maxim and Rebecca, respectively. Hammer is a charming Maxim, although the character's always been something of a remote anomaly, while both Dowd and Sam Riley, as Jack Favell, make memorable turns as unpleasant characters.
What makes this production even more noteworthy is the sumptuous design showcased throughout the film. Manderley is impressive and imposing, helping to illustrate why Mrs. de Winter would feel out of her league as the new lady of the house. Yet where the film really shines is the gorgeous costumes. James' outfits, in particular, are polished and reserved in a way that seems period-appropriate, while also using design elements that are popular in fashion today, making the clothes seem both remote and attainable.
While I had serious reservations when I learned Netflix had a new adaptation of Rebecca in the works, this version of the story ultimately won me over. It’s been decades since the book and movie were first released, and as a result, they may seem dated to some viewers. Wheatley and company have done a wonderful job faithfully adapting the story while subtly updating it to better appeal to modern sensibilities, ensuring even more viewers will be introduced to this haunting tale.
Directed by Ben Wheatley, Rebecca stars Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Riley and Ann Dowd. It will be released on Netflix on Wednesday, Oct. 21.