You’re probably somewhat versed in Jekyll & Hyde lore, or maybe even well-versed. Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, was first published way back in 1886, and 140 years later, it’s been adapted in countless ways and forms. It’s a perfect framework for any allegory about duality, and who better than celebrated actor and comedian Eddie Izzard to tackle the dual role with the modern reimagining, Doctor Jekyll.
Sure, there have been a plethora of Jekyll and Hyde portrayals over the years, but this new iteration from director Joe Stephenson and writer Dan Kelly-Mulhern adds a few neat little bells and whistles to the mix — such as the titular character taking on the occupation of pharmaceutical titan. However, we’re left wanting more from this throwback Hammer Horror frightfest that sadly underwhelms.
The Duality of Eddie Izzard
2.5/5
A new adaptation of the classic tale from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella starring Eddie Izzard. Directed by Joe Stephenson, Doctor Jekyll is a slow-burn gothic horror that delves into themes of duality, concocting a surprising mix of dark humor and flashes of camp within a twisted fairytale.
Release Date August 2, 2024
Director Joe Stephenson
Cast Eddie Izzard , Scott Chambers , Lindsay Duncan , Simon Callow , Jonathan Hyde , Morgan Watkins , Robyn Cara , Isabella Inchbald , and Tony Jayawardena
Runtime 1h 30m
Writers Dan Kelly-Mulhern
Distributor(s) Hammer Films
Pros
- Eddie Izzard owns the screen, and making Jekyll a pharmaceutical titan is clever.
- There are infusions of some classic British horror aesthetics that delight.
Cons
- Scott Chambers is fine but miscast, and the B-plot with his ex annoyingly distracts.
- There just aren’t enough scares. It’s too much Dr. Jekyll and not enough Hyde.
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Throughout the film’s tight 89-minute duration, you may find yourself wishing Izzard were framed in every single shot — with every scene that omits the star possibly creating a wince effect to the viewer: “Show us more! Why’d you cut away?!” That’s not to say Izzard doesn’t dominate the film for the most part, even when competing for screen time with the film’s true protagonist.
That would be young Rob, played by the charming Scott Chambers, a fitting choice for the story’s fairytale angle, given that he also plays the iconic Christopher Robin in the recent horror sequel Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2. Plus, Chambers also starred in the hit thriller Malevolent, so he knows his way around the genre. Here he plays an ex-convict who’s desperate for a job, which his brother Ewan (Morgan Watkins) is able to arrange at the esteemed Jekyll estate.
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The Miscasting of Rob Chambers
The kicker? Rob used to be hooked on both drugs and the art of robbing people for a living. Chambers’ youthful air at times ultimately subtracts from the intended chilly nature of Doctor Jekyll. One look at his bright visage, and you might think, “Really? An ex-con? Get real.” He just looks too darn innocent for such a dark persona, but oh well.
Luckily, the meat & potatoes of the film goes to Chambers’ on-screen chemistry with Izzard, which succeeds for the most part, particularly when Izzard is clearly in character as the more likable Nina Jekyll (versus Hyde). That all kicks off once Rob is brought to the estate and formally introduced by Nina’s sharp-witted house manager, Sandra (Lindsay Duncan). The stage is set, and a haunting classical score helps progress the thrills and chills.
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A Gorgeous Throwback Aesthetic but Distracting Subplot
Despite Sandra’s reservations about Rob on multiple levels, Nina conveniently takes a liking to the young chap, and a friendship soon blossoms that leads to thoughtful chess games, late-night chats and more. But Rob can’t seem to shake a sense of darkness looming in this pharmaceutical chief’s lair — and why Nina often acts strangely, seemingly at random. Nina eventually discloses that she at times becomes an alter ego by the name of Rachel Hyde, which, in this reimagining, is the result of a sort of drug experiment gone wrong. She is worried Rachel will take control of Nina forever and needs Rob’s help to put a stop to it.
The problem is that the filmmakers clearly tried to make too much room for the less-appealing B-story. That’s where Rob’s feisty ex Maeve (Robyn Cara) comes in, reentering his life against his wishes. The not-so-sober hothead finds him in town and wants Rob to, well, “rob” Nina dry or else Maeve will expose his closeted skeletons and prevent him from ever seeing their young, cancer-stricken daughter in the flesh. Ouch.
It’s a nasty threat, but it also muddles the juicier themes at hand, such as how the drug industry really plays into the Jekyll & Hyde tropes and how Jekyll’s public trans-ness (as revealed in the film’s opening sequence) factors into the titular villain’s duality as well.
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Doctor Jekyll Hides the Hyde
Otherwise, director Stephenson cleverly keeps Jekyll’s — and Izzard’s — gender fluidity in the background, while also keeping the Jekyll-Hyde switcharoo a purposeful gray area. Ultimately, though, these decisions come off feeling like a letdown. The title itself can serve as a warning sign; without the Hyde mention, will viewers feel like they’ve only been offered a portion of what Izzard and the team could have really delivered from the brilliant source material? Maybe.
The film compensates in other, classic British-horror ways that will tickle the fancy of cinephiles, such as the artificial lighting (and such beautiful yellows) constantly spilling in through Jekyll’s gothic windows and the slow-burn suspense that simply eats at you at times, but doesn’t deliver. The climactic third act goes off the rails once Maeve involves herself once again, and fright-fest fans might find themselves wishing the elongated sequence would instead be replaced with actual scares or effects. It’s a valiant effort to re-kickstart Hammer’s legacy, but let’s amp everything up three-fold next time around.
From Hammer Films, Doctor Jekyll will open in U.S. theaters and on demand Aug. 2, 2024. You can get it on digital platforms like Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango at Home, and on Prime Video through the link below:
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