Tessa Thompson‘s new drama movie, Hedda, is receiving widespread acclaim from critics, resulting in an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score. Written and directed by Nia DaCosta (The Marvels), Hedda is an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 play Hedda Gabler. Notably, Thompson and DaCosta previously worked together on the latter’s directorial debut feature, the 2018 crime drama Little Woods, as well as the MCU movie The Marvels.

What critics are saying about Hedda in reviews

Amon Warmann of Empire Magazine praised Thompson’s performance in the movie. “Tessa Thompson has never been better as the titular not-so-desperate housewife in Nia DaCosta’s bold, stylish reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s timeless play,” Warmann wrote.

Inverse‘s Lyvie Scott compared the tension in Hedda’s plot to a pressure cooker. Scott added that this turns the movie into “a diabolical psychological thriller” and launches “Hedda the character into the pantheon of the monstrous feminine.”

Meanwhile, Wendy Ide of The Observer (UK) noted that the movie is “as treacherous and unpredictable as Hedda herself.” Ide accepted that not everything in Hedda works, before adding, “But Thompson is glorious – all weaponised ennui, languid malice and impeccable tailoring.”

Linda Marric of The Sun (UK) also gave Hedda a glowing review. “Stylish, witty, and wickedly entertaining, Hedda proves director Nia DaCosta’s flair for reinventing the familiar,” Marric wrote.

TheWrap‘s William Bibbiani hailed Hedda as “a sensual, ingenious update of Ibsen’s classic play, honoring the grand theatrical tradition and transforming it into new, ecstatic cinema.”

Hedda receives an exceptional Rotten Tomatoes score

At the time of this article’s composition, Hedda has a 90% approval rating on the review aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes after 77 reviews. This number will likely change as more critics share their opinions in the coming days.

Hedda premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2025. It debuted in select theaters in the US on October 22, before coming out on Amazon Prime Video today.

Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on ComingSoon.

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