You may be somewhat familiar with the story of Jekyll and Hyde, or perhaps you are very familiar with it. The famous short story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HeadFirst published in 1886, The Duality has been adapted in countless ways and forms over the past 140 years. It’s the perfect framework for any allegory of duality, and who better to tackle the dual role with a modern reimagining than the iconic comedian Eddie Izzard? Dr. Jekyll.
Sure, there have been plenty of Jekyll and Hyde depictions over the years, but this new version from director Joe Stevenson and writer Dan Kelly Mulhern adds some neat little bells and whistles to the mix—like the title character taking on the career of a pharmaceutical tycoon. However, We're left wanting more of this throwback horror that unfortunately didn't live up to the bill..
Eddie Izzard's double
Dr. Jekyll (2024)
2.5/5
A new film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic 1886 novella, starring Eddie Izzard. Directed by Joe Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll is a slow-paced horror that delves into themes of duality, blending a surprising mix of black humor and flashes of comedy into a twisted fantasy story.
- release date
- August 2, 2024
- exit
- Joe Stevenson
- Throw
- Eddie Izzard, Scott Chambers, Lindsay Duncan, Simon Callow, Jonathan Hyde, Morgan Watkins, Robin Carra, Isabella Inchbald, and Tony Jayewardena
- the show length
- 1h 30m
- the book
- Dan Kelly Mulhern
- Distributor(s)
- Hammer Movies
- Eddie Izzard owns the screen, and making Jekyll a pharmaceutical giant is clever.
- These films have some classic British horror aesthetic touches that will delight you.
- Scott Chambers is good but miscast, and the secondary plot with his ex-girlfriend is annoyingly distracting.
- There's not enough horror. There's too much Dr. Jekyll and not enough Hyde.
Throughout the film's 89-minute duration, You may find yourself wishing Izzard was in every shot. —With every scene that leaves the star out, it probably creates an effect of shame in the viewer: “Show us more! Why did you cut the scene?!” That’s not to say that Izzard doesn’t dominate the film most of the time, even when he’s competing for screen time with the film’s real hero.
That would be young Rob, played by charming actor Scott Chambers, a fitting choice for the fairy tale angle, given that he also plays the iconic Christopher Robin in the recent horror film sequel. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2Additionally, Chambers also starred in the hit thriller spitefulso he knows his way around this type of movie. Here he plays an ex-con desperate for a job, and his brother Ewan (Morgan Watkins) manages to arrange it at the venerable Jekyll estate.
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Bad Choice Rob Chambers
What's interesting? Rob used to be a drug addict and robbed people for a living. Chambers' youthful appearance sometimes detracts from the film's intended cold nature. Dr. JekyllOne look at his beaming face and you might think, “Really? Ex-con? Get real.” He seems so innocent for such a dark character.But oh well.
Fortunately, the core of the film comes down to the interaction between Chambers and Izzard on screen.which works for the most part, especially when Izzard is clearly in the more likeable Nina Jekyll (versus Hyde). It all begins once Rob is brought to the estate and formally introduced by Nina's smart housekeeper, Sandra (Lindsay Duncan). The stage is set, and a poignant classical score helps advance the suspense and horror.
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Nice subplot with aesthetic appeal but distracting
Despite Sandra’s reservations about Rob on multiple levels, Nina takes a proper liking to the young man, and a friendship soon blossoms that leads to thoughtful games of chess, late-night chats, and more. But Rob can’t seem to shake the sense of darkness looming in this pharma boss’s lair—and why Nina often acts strangely, seemingly at random. Nina eventually reveals that she occasionally morphs into an alter ego named Rachel Hyde, who, in this reimagined novel, is the result of some kind of drug experiment gone wrong. She worries that Rachel will control Nina forever and needs Rob’s help to put a stop to it.
The problem is It's clear that the filmmakers tried to make room for less attractive B-movies.Here comes Rob's stubborn ex-girlfriend Maeve (Robyn Kara), back in his life against his will. The reckless, unstable girl finds him in town and wants Rob to “steal” Nina to death or Maeve will reveal his hidden skeletons and prevent him from seeing their young daughter, who is suffering from cancer. Ugh.
It's a bad threat, but it's also It mixes in the more interesting topics at hand, such as how the drug industry plays a real role in Jekyll and Hyde incarnations. And how Jekyll's public transformation into a man (as revealed in the film's opening scene) affects the duality of the film's eponymous villain.
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Dr. Jekyll Hides Hyde
Otherwise, director Stevenson has cleverly managed to keep Jekyll's character – and Izzard's – Gender fluidity in the backgroundWhile the shift between Jekyll and Hyde remains a deliberate gray area, in the end, these decisions seem like let downThe title itself could be a warning sign; without Hyde, will viewers feel like they're only getting a fraction of what Izzard and his team could really deliver from the great source material? Maybe.
The film makes up for it in other ways. Classic British horror flicks that will tickle the imagination of movie lovers.Like the artificial lighting (and lovely yellow hues) that constantly stream through the Gothic Jekyll windows and the slow-burn suspense that sometimes eats you up, but never quite delivers. The third act goes off the rails once Maeve gets involved again, and horror fans may find themselves facing a I wish the long sequences could be replaced with real scares or effects.It's a valiant attempt to revive the Hammer legacy, but let's triple everything down next time.
From Hammer Movies, Dr. Jekyll The film will be released in U.S. theaters and on demand on August 2, 2024. You can get it on digital platforms such as Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and on Prime Video via the link below:
Watch Dr. Jekyll
