Review: Why Nia DaCosta’s 'Hedda' Deserves More Attention
- Robbie
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
I’d been planning to check out Hedda for a while, partly because I’m a fan of Nia DaCosta and partly because I’m surprised this release has flown under the radar, especially with her 20 Years Later sequel on the horizon. So when I was asked to cover the film for the TV Cave, it felt like the perfect opportunity—especially since I’m putting together a DaCosta ranking video for my horror channel, Fright Night Flix.
DaCosta’s first feature since The Marvels feels very much like a recalibration—an attempt to regain her footing after the turbulent experience of directing an MCU film. The cinematography by Sean Bobbitt is genuinely stunning; he brings a rich visual language to the story and captures the setting with precision and texture. The production design is equally polished, and the costume department deserves praise for delivering some standout looks that elevate the film’s aesthetic.
Narratively, you can absolutely feel the stage play roots. The confined setting and dialogue-heavy structure make that clear, but DaCosta’s adaptation choices are intriguing. You can sense her stretching creatively, experimenting, and shaking off the blockbuster baggage. I expected the film to be a bit of a slog given its theatrical nature, but once you settle into its rhythm, it becomes increasingly engaging.
This is also the first time Tessa Thompson has truly impressed me. I’ve liked her ever since Westworld, but Hedda shows a level of dramatic range I hadn’t seen from her before. While the supporting cast is solid, no one shines quite like Thompson—her performance is easily the standout of the entire film.
Overall, Hedda exceeded my expectations. It highlights DaCosta’s range as a filmmaker and proves that Tessa Thompson can absolutely command a leading role. I don’t see it breaking into awards season—it feels too overlooked for that—but it’s definitely a film that deserves more attention, especially with DaCosta’s next project arriving in January.
Rating: 8/10 – ★★★★☆
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