Rebecca is an aesthetically pleasing modern adaptation with an indecisive narrative and failed dynamics.

With the irritability and dark qualities of the original, Rebecca suffered basically in comparison, as Wheatley’s retelling piled up poorly against the older ones and offered rather shallower and narrower interpretations.

The narrative, which is just over two hours, has eventually destabilized the power of this story. Most of Rebecca’s faults rests in the superfluous insertion of worthless, unserviceable, and inconsequential acts and arrangements. In other words, this traditional period piece failed at establishing a concise and a constant flow of events.

The use of the very effective hallucinatory sequences worked impeccably as an allegory to Rebecca’s characters’ communal suppression, unspoken desires and sexual jealousy.

Parts of Rebecca’s character evolution and progression, especially the psychological aspect, were handled clumsily and inelegantly.

Lily James conveys an invigorating truthfulness and openness to her role, especially in the second half of the film. Army Hammer, despite his magnetic allure and electrifying on screen attraction with James, lacked profundity and perceptiveness in his performance. In general, nobody has a fixed hold on what accurately they are supposed to be playing.

Rebecca is the type of movies that strive for visual beauty, as it can be best described as a beautifully crafted period piece filled with outstanding locations, props and costumes. All these elements combined managed to evoke a nostalgic tone to the classical Hollywood Era.

Rebecca based on its contemporary aesthetics and intimate camera techniques alone is not that bad of an experience. Whereas one can’t help but wonder, where is the naturally multifaceted and unbounded story of the true REBECCA?

A young newlywed arrives at her husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast and finds herself battling the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca, whose legacy lives on in the house long after her death.

Director: Ben Wheatley
Adapted from: Rebecca
Story by: Daphne du Maurier
Screenplay: Joe Shrapnel, Jane Goldman, Anna Waterhouse