Doctor Jekyll is a 2023 British horror film and a modern re-imagining of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic 1886 novella ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’. This new adaptation focuses on a reclusive Nina Jekyll (Eddie Izzard) finding friendship with her newly hired help, Rob (Scott Chambers), who must work together to prevent Hyde from destroying her life.
Directed and co-produced by Joe Stephenson (Agatha and the Midnight Murders; Chicken) from a screenplay written by Dan Kelly-Mulhern. Also produced by Liam Coutts and Guy de Beaujeu. Executive produced by Jamie Anderson, Christian Angermayer, Patrick Fischer, Piers Hunt, Andrew Keats and Richard Kondal.
The B Good Picture Company production stars Eddie Izzard (Hannibal series; Igor; The Avengers; Shadow of the Vampire; Tales from the Crypt series), Scott Chambers (Malevolent; Blood Money; Fox Trap), Lindsay Duncan (A Banquet; Frankenstein 2007), Robyn Cara, Jonathan Hyde, Morgan Watkins and Simon Callow (The Phantom of the Opera 2004).
Meanwhile, regular visitors to MOVIES & MANIA will know actor Scott Chambers better as Scott Jeffrey – the director, writer and/or producer (over 100 credits!) of a multitude of British low-budget science fiction and horror films such as Exorcist Vengeance; The Gardener; Spider in the Attic; The Curse of Humpty Dumpty; The Mutation; Hatched; Dragon Fury; Conjuring the Genie; HellKat; Bats; Don’t Speak; Cupid; ClownDoll; The Final Scream and The Bad Nun.
Hammer Studios secured Doctor Jekyll a UK cinema release which led to some over-eager websites exclaiming that it is a continuation of the legacy that the legendary Hammer Films production company made with their The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll (1960) and Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971). It isn’t.
As far as we are aware, none of the producers of Doctor Jekyll (2022) has any connection with any of the films made by the previously resurrected Hammer company that produced Let Me In (2010), The Resident (2011), Wake Wood (2011), The Woman in Black (2012), The Quiet Ones (2014), The Woman in Black: Angel of Death (2015) and The Lodge (2019).
Reviews:
“While a strong ensemble cast adds layers to Joe Stephensen’s movie, Doctor Jekyll is, in essence, a wickedly entertaining two-person play as Chambers, vulnerable and anxious Rob and Izzard’s caring Nina and twisted Rachel begin a slow and deadly dance through the corridors and rooms of a mansion bathed in gothic horror. Here, Stephensen’s film takes all the ingredients that made Terrence Fisher’s Hammer classics sublime and mixes them into a new darkly delicious cocktail…” ★★★★ Cinerama
“There’s a lot on display here that highlights the film’s strengths though, not least the excellent central performance from Eddie Izzard, who underplays the part of Jekyll remarkably well for much of the running time, before revelling in the more out-there aspects of the character come the final act. Joe Stephenson‘s direction, whilst oft-times showy, manages to conjure up a few visual tricks that work in the film’s favour…” ★★★ Critical Popcorn
“It’s patchily funny – an ongoing sort of gag around crunchy nut cornflakes gets some laughs – and Chambers and Izzard are both very good in their roles. Which is a blessing, as the viewer spends a lot of time in their company. Unfortunately, Doctor Jekyll is all rather polite; I kept hoping that things would go a bit crazy, but restraint is the order of the day for the most part…” Dark Eyes of London
” …soon reveals itself as bafflingly laborious, leaden and self-conscious, with the star often going into the familiar quirky monologue-riffing style, which might be hilarious in Izzard’s standup comedy, but it’s weird in the wrong way here. The comedy in the central performance feels unsettled, undermining the film’s horror potential, which is in any case damaged by the over-egged musical score and misfiring jump non-scares.” ★★ The Guardian
“John Gore’s Hammer handled this right in choosing this story with hints of today and yesterday in with disaffected young and the theme of the outsider […] A man in a dress being odd is not frightening, at least for some segment of the population it is a perceived threat, but in the land of Horror, it is not. The dread of difference no matter how much is to be literally stamped out.” ★★★★ Horror Asylum
“It’s so much more humorous than I was expecting – something that director Stephenson said wasn’t the original direction. Thankfully it never comes at the expense of human drama and can even add to it […] I suspect Eddie Izzard will be the main draw here – and she doesn’t disappoint at all. The battle of wits between her personas is fascinating to watch, even if Hyde’s plan is unexpectedly silly for a character who is defined by their intellect, and she inhabits both brilliantly.” ★★★ Horror Cult Films
“It can’t help at times feel like one of the great comedian’s horror-homaging on-stage skits, and there’s an overall lack of genuine menace, but Izzard is still a fabulous screen presence. Less successful is a dull sub-plot about Rob’s (underwritten) ex trying to lure him into “one last score”, hogging valuable screen time away from the picture’s most compelling elements.” Horror Screams Video Vault
“The film offers a fresh take on a classic tale, exploring themes of identity and transformation, while Izzard’s portrayal adds a layer of complexity. For those looking for a horror film that challenges expectations and provides a unique spin on a well-known story, Doctor Jekyll could be a film to watch. But for anyone wanting Eddie Izzard in full hilarious form or a horror film that will deliver scares and constant stimulation, this film will sadly fall short.” ★½ Love Horror
“While not the return to form for Hammer that I hoped for, Doctor Jekyll is an entertaining thriller and worth a watch. And if the mystery and thriller elements don’t work for you, you still get to see Eddie Izzard looking like Ozzy Osbourne and overacting like Nicolas Cage in the film’s finale.” ★★★½ Voices from the Balcony
Trailer:
Release:
In the UK, Doctor Jekyll will be available exclusively on Digital Download from March 11, 2024.
Background:
Eddie Izzard previously stated that she was: “very excited to be playing the role of Nina Jekyll in this new film and it’s wonderful to be able to re-imagine this classic story in a modern way.”
Directed Joe Stephenson added to that, praising Izzard as, “being the extraordinary and versatile actress she is, playing against Scott’s natural talent to make us believe in the good in people, I can’t wait to bring this suspenseful take on the iconic classic to life.”
Cast and characters:
Eddie Izzard … Doctor Jekyll
Scott Chambers … Rob
Lindsay Duncan … Sandra
Robyn Cara … Maeve
Jonathan Hyde
Morgan Watkins … Ewan
Simon Callow
Tony Jayawardena … Malcolm
Isabella Inchbald … Nina’s Mother
Technical specs:
1 hour 29 minutes
Film facts:
Includes a brief clip of Ed Wood’s Plan 9 from Outer Space.
