Rebecca (2020) **1/2

Art imitates life is what they say, no? Much like the story’s Mrs. de Winter can never hope to replace the late Rebecca, this 2020 version can never hope to take the place of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film (my review here).

Most of Ben Wheatley’s adaptation feels like a work-for-hire TV movie (albeit with a better budget and more cinematic production design) which any number of filmmakers could have churned out. There are scant few moments where it actually feels like something that Wheatley would make and I’m really puzzled why he was considered a good fit for the material. Everyone needs a paycheck, I guess? 

Make no mistake, Rebecca is impeccably shot, the costumes are beautiful, and the film is consistently handsome to look at but if you’ve seen the original, there are no surprises here. The colors in this film are a sight to behold but I prefer the mystery and atmosphere of the black & white original.

Lily James does a commendable job in the lead part, channeling a similar energy as Joan Fontaine. Kristen Scott Thomas is well cast as the priggish and spiteful Mrs. Danvers. Armie Hammer tries his best to emote but he’s no Laurence Olivier, that’s for sure. Neither does Sam Riley have the devilish charm that George Sanders did.

As well, Clint Mansell is a composer who has made some incredible scores, which I love, but his work here feels very generic. Much like the film, every choice feels too safe and familiar. I would have preferred that Wheatley, of all people, went experimental and radically reinvented the story rather than present this faithful retelling. If you’re going to bother remaking a beloved 80-year-old classic, go for broke or don’t bother.