This sexy new period drama is a cross between Downton Abbey and Saltburn.

If you're a fan of period dramas with a side of manipulative scheming and sexy vibes, you need to watch Prime's new movie, Hedda, immediately. Think Saltburn meets Downton Abbey. But aside from the sultry premise and the larger-than-life aesthetic, the story actually explores some very dark and relevant themes.

The film is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's 1891 play, Hedda Gabler. The original was pretty shocking back then, diving into the confines and pressures of living as a high-society woman. This movie keeps that intensity but moves the action to a glamorous, mid-20th-century English estate, giving it a whole new, intoxicating vibe.

The story centres on Hedda, a high-society newlywed throwing a big party in her huge mansion. It looks beautiful — all lace, silver, and perfect style — a kind of golden cage, really. 

Watch: The trailer for Hedda. Article continues after video.

But beneath the polite chatter, Hedda is quietly weaving a massive, toxic web. Her main target is her former lover, Eileen, whose professional success and new relationship with her writing partner, Thea, pushes Hedda right to a bitter, vindictive edge. The plot is a slow, agonising burn of sneaky betrayals and questionable intentions. 

Honestly, the casting here is perfect. We have the amazing Tessa Thompson as our anti-heroine, Hedda, and the brilliant Nina Hoss as her estranged former flame, Eileen. George, Hedda's husband — played by Tom Bateman — and Thea, Eileen's new partner — played by Imogen Poots — also round out a strong supporting cast. But let's be honest, we're here to watch Thompson own the screen. And she does.

I think Thompson's performance as Hedda is one of her best. She just is this character — a master manipulator consumed by her own quiet frustrations. She doesn't need to shout or be theatrical; her acting is all quiet glances, subtle shifts in posture, and a silent bitterness that feels so real. It's emotionally driven and completely heartbreaking.

Image: Prime Video

One of the most powerful updates is the character of Eileen. In the original play, Hedda's former lover was a man named Eilert Lövborg, but here, that character is a woman. And this change adds such a layer of complexity to Hedda's story, alluding to the confines around sexuality during that time period. It makes Hedda's desperate need for control, her jealousy, and her rage feel exponentially more personal and crushing.

Visually? This film is absolutely gorgeous. The cinematography, the sets, the costumes? So good. And the atmosphere manages to be both sensual and thrilling. I loved every second of it.

What really elevates this movie is how it handles its modern updates. Director Nia DaCosta seamlessly integrates themes of queerness and blackness into this classic period setting. Tessa Thompson's casting as Hedda is a powerful move that is integrated into the story without being explicitly addressed.

The same goes for the central queer relationship. It's not a huge statement; it's simply there — communicated through the painful chemistry, the actions, and the devastating performances between Hedda and Eileen.

Image: Prime Video

Just like the original play, the movie expertly tackles deep subject matter: the suffocating societal expectations and confines placed upon women, class anxiety, sexuality, and suppressed ambition. Hedda is a woman who chose a safe, financially secure marriage with George — the golden cage — but now she feels trapped.

And the genius part is how messy and complex the characters are. What is actually driving Hedda? Is she desperate for a better financial situation? Is it just straight-up jealousy? Or is she seeking revenge on an ex who moved on too quickly? 

It's never clear, which is why her spiral is so endlessly compelling to watch. You won't be able to look away.

Feature Image: Prime Video.