A modern re-imagining of the infamous Dr. Jekyll from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Joe Stephenson (Chicken, McKellen: Playing The Part) is the director of Doctor Jekyll, an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novel that stars the phenomenal Eddie Izzard alongside Simon Callow, Scott Chambers, Lindsay Duncan, Jonathan Hyde, Morgan Watkins, and Robyn Cara.
First off, the casting of Eddie Izzard as the infamous Doctor was an absolutely brilliant call. Izzard was a comedy staple in my youth and is still one of my favourite comics. Calling her “incomparable” may sound like hyperbole, but it really isn’t. Izzard not only captures that dual-persona insanity that is the Jekyll-Hide pairing, she does it so naturally thanks to way that the comic lives their actual life; switching between their male and female personas but preferring the feminine “Suzy.”And what a twisted, sinister portrayal Izzard gives as the joyless Jekyll and heinous Hyde. It really was stellar.
The film itself is clever—while something of a complete retelling of the original novella, it does well to play to its roots. The plot offers unexpected twists and turns and the set itself is splendid, with most of the film taking place in a gorgeous, antiquated manor. The film also feels, for lack of a better word, old. It’s a style of cinema that is not often done these days and it comes across as an homage to the Italian giallo rather than a modern reimagining.
Supporting Izzard is co-star, Scott Chambers. Chambers, of Malevolent (2018) and Chicken (2015) fame, brings balance to the cast. While Izzard has a huge, dominating presence, Chambers’ character, Rob, comes across as small and unimposing. A thief and career criminal trying to turn his life around for his daughter, Rob is the one that we are meant to root for while Hyde’s presence grows throughout the film.
It is through the juxtaposition of Jekyll and Rob that we are treated to the film’s themes of trust and betrayal, money and power, and confronting one’s inner demons. There is Jekyll (Hyde), who is able to use her power, money, and influence to keep herself above the law while Rob, who has been dealt a terrible hand in the game of life, strives to be a better person while fighting temptation, threats and his conscience. The film is emotionally loaded and keeps a great pace.
Speaking on the film, Director Stephenson had this to say:
With ‘Doctor Jekyll’, I wanted to make a film that honours what has been before and doesn’t get made anymore, and still gives something fresh and unique to a 100yr old, often told, story. Our film, with its mystery narrative and purposeful melodrama, led by the incomparable Eddie Izzard and brilliant Scott Chambers, is designed to be surprising from the off. Hammer Films has always been synonymous with boundary-pushing horror, and with ‘Doctor Jekyll’ we wanted to honour that tradition but simultaneously take the structure, humour and horror styles of what people remember and love and bring them back for new audiences to discover. I’m excited for genre fans to discover our adaptation, and hopefully be drawn into the world we have created and go along for the ride!”
This was an incredibly fun film overall. Sure, we all know where the plot is headed, but the film is a visual feast thanks to the settings and a treat thanks to the powerful portrayal by Izzard. Definitely give it a watch. Dr. Jekyll will be available for digital download from March 11th. Thanks for reading and as always, stay sordid. The trailer and poster can be found below.
