‘Gripping’ Netflix period drama with Downton Abbey icon now streaming | Films | Entertainment

Period drama fans may be overlooking a hidden gem on Netflix, which is adapted from one of the most beloved classic novels ever written.

The thriller, which has been described as “gripping from beginning to end”, stars a popular star from Downton Abbey alongside a fan-favourite actress from Slow Horses.

Rebecca, first released on Netflix in 2020, is based on Daphne Du Maurier’s extremely famous thriller of the same name. 

The 1938 Gothic novel is an enduring classic thanks to its powerful themes and mind-bending twists, and it appears the story is still capturing imaginations nearly a century later. 

The bestseller has been adapted several times over the years, with Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1940.

The most recent version is director Ben Wheatley’s rendition for Netflix, which features performances from Call me by Your Name star Armie Hammer,  Lily James and Kirstin Scott Thomas. 

James is best known for playing Rose in Downton Abbey, Young Donna in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Pamela Anderson in Pam and Tommy. 

Meanwhile, British acting legend Kristin Scott Thomas is best known for playing Diana Taverner in Slow Horses, Fiona in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Sylvia McCordle in Gosford Park.

The synopsis for Rebecca on IMDb reads: “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.”

Rebecca has a disappointing 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, although judging by the comments, it seems many fans think the film is underrated.

Fans took to the comments to share their thoughts on the film, with one person writing: “This movie gripped me from beginning to end. I couldn’t look away, and I didn’t see anything coming. You think you know what the movie is about, then there is a twist, and the whole thing takes a left turn you didn’t see coming.”

“ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!” another person gushed, adding: “Nothing can touch the original masterpiece however this film, in many ways, is faithful Du Mauriers cunning flip of stereotypes.”

“Loved the thrill, love story, period views, so well made I would watch it again,” a third viewer penned, as another agreed: “Loved the book and this version of it in film. Have watched I many times. Great cast and acting.”

Other fans hailed the way the classic novel had been adapted for Netflix, with one recommending: “If you’ve read Rebecca and it’s a beloved novel to you, this movie is amazing. A great rendition.”

Another expressed their confusion over the film’s negative reception, commenting: “I don’t understand all the bad reviews for Rebecca. I loved the new adaptation. I especially loved the costumes and filming locations. Lily James does a wonderful job.”

“Excellent twist on a classic thriller! I am not sure why this doesn’t have better reviews but it is well worth your time,” one fan insisted, as another agreed: “This movie is a stunningly faithful adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel.”

One more person enthused: “What a ride!!! This genre bending thriller will take you on the wildest roller coaster of your life. The next time someone asks me what my favorite movie is, I’m saying Rebecca. 

“This movie surpassed my every expectation. Here I was, sitting on the couch expecting some lame romance but nope!! I am going to pass this movie down through generations of my family.”

However, not everyone was such a fan, with one person remarking: “Bland to the point of boring.”

Another wrote: “What was an interesting, suspenseful book with hints of psychological thriller in it became a vapid, rushed, and bland movie that sapped two hours of my life. If you like your movies to stick to the plot of your books, avoid this.”

A third complained: “As much as I love the actors and actresses in this movie, nothing about it really had me enjoying the film. The clichés were handed out like appetizers and the plot of the film was all over the place. Wasn’t a fan.”

Nevertheless, given all the positive reviews from fans despite the film’s poor Rotten Tomatoes score, Rebecca could be considered to be an underrated favourite. 

Rebecca is available to stream now on Netflix.

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