*Spoiler Warning*
The trailers and buzz around Rebecca coming out on Wednesday made out that it was going to be a very ominous, creepy ghost story that would have similar vibes to Crimson Peak. This is most definitely not the movie that I watched!
You would imagine that a ghost story would be dark and sinister, making you nervous for any creak you hear in your home as you watch it. The supposedly ‘ominous’ parts of this film would not even give a scaredy-cat like myself goose bumps! There aren’t even any ghosts in this ghost story.
The story of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier creates a tense atmosphere throughout the entire book, and the reader grows to have a love/hate relationship with Mrs Danvers as her character is so complex and mysterious. However, in the film, the character falls completely flat; there are no dimensions to her – she is simply there. Kristin Scott Thomas’ acting is great, as always, but the character being changed so dramatically in order to give a romantic conclusion means all of the mystery behind her is lost. By changing her ending, as well, she becomes finite, which takes away from her story. In the book you never truly know what her demise is, whether she is alive or dead is left open – it works for the character. But the film makes you sympathise with her; it gives you an answer and, for me, this ruins the entire ominous premise of her character.
Looking at the other characters, there is more emotion in a brick than in Armie Hammer’s acting. There is nothing that makes him stand out or interesting when he is on-screen. Lily James is the saving grace of the film; she is emotional and terrified, and she pushes the story forward. But again, no matter how good her acting is, with other characters being changed and with there being no ominous feel, it just falls flat.
I have to admit it was difficult to stay awake during this one. If you want the story of the Rebecca, the book is the way to go . Even the 1940 version of the film by Hitchcock is so much more than this.
So again, if you want to watch Rebecca, watch the version by Hitchcock; it does the book so much more justice than the Netflix version.
Featured Image: Netflix
