HEDDA
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Nina Hoss, Imogen Poots, Nicholas Pinnock, and Tom Bateman
Director: Nia DaCosta
AMARÚ
Before you know it, Hedda (both the film and Tessa Thompson’s character) has you completely wrapped around their finger. Thompson is scandalously mischievous in an enthralling lead turn, Nia DaCosta is somehow improving her already bewitching directorial vision, and Hildur Guðnadóttir ensnares it all together with her playfully mysterious score. By the time Nina Hoss’ Eileen lights a match to the gunpowder trail of a wandering first act, you look around wondering when this team completely snatched your attention. Hedda is a wonderfully mesmerizing train wreck of twists, lies, love, and lust that holds your heart in one hand just to snatch your throat with the other.
ADRIANO
After being in a franchise/IP hole for the past couple of years, it's nice to finally see writer/director Nia DaCosta stretch the capabilities of her talents. In Hedda, she directs the film with a wicked ferocity that keeps every conversation and conflict alive. It looks incredible, the pacing is perfect, and the trio of Tessa Thompson, Nina Hoss, and Imogen Poots are great. That said, the script didn't quite work. There's an interesting “poke the bear” narrative in there, but nothing ever made me want to grab onto it, even if I did have a fun time watching.
QUENTIN
Between Tessa Thompson’s scenery-chewing performance, Nia DaCosta’s magnetic direction, and the sultry set and costume design, Hedda has a lot going for it. Thompson, in particular, is captivating in the early goings as a mysterious agent of chaos. She keeps the viewer’s interest piqued as the curiosity of who she is and what she might be up to mounts. However, once her plot is revealed, it all kind of fizzles out. The intrigue is in the not knowing, and once you’re let in on Hedda’s (Thompson) designs, the air is let out of the balloon, resulting in an unsatisfying climax. It’s all fabulous to behold, though.
This film was reviewed by Amarú, Adriano, and Quentin as part of Bitesize Breakdown's coverage of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and the 2025 Zurich Film Festival, respectively.