Rebecca Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman marries rich, moves into a creepy house, and then has to deal with her husband’s dead ex-wife’s spooky housekeeper…and possibly the ghost of the ex-wife, too!

🍿 Rebecca: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Monte Carlo Romance

A young, unnamed woman working as a paid companion to the wealthy Mrs. Van Hopper in Monte Carlo meets the enigmatic widower Maxim de Winter. They quickly fall in love, leading to a whirlwind romance. Mrs. Van Hopper disapproves, planning a quick departure to New York, which prompts Maxim to propose to the young woman, whisking her away from her old life.

Arrival at Manderley

The newly married couple arrives at Manderley, Maxim’s imposing family estate on the English coast. The new Mrs. de Winter finds herself intimidated by the grandeur of the estate and the ever-present memory of Maxim’s deceased first wife, Rebecca. The sinister housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, is particularly unsettling, maintaining an almost obsessive devotion to Rebecca’s memory.

The Haunting Legacy of Rebecca

The new Mrs. de Winter struggles to find her place in Manderley, constantly reminded of Rebecca’s perfection and the high esteem in which she was held by everyone. Mrs. Danvers subtly undermines her, highlighting her inexperience and perceived inadequacies compared to the late Rebecca. This creates an atmosphere of paranoia and insecurity for the new Mrs. de Winter.

Unraveling Secrets and Accusations

As the new Mrs. de Winter investigates the circumstances surrounding Rebecca’s death, secrets and lies begin to surface. Jack Favell, Rebecca’s cousin, arrives at Manderley, stirring up trouble and blackmailing Maxim. Accusations of infidelity and murder emerge, putting a strain on Maxim and his new wife’s relationship. The discovery of Rebecca’s body in a shipwreck further complicates matters, leading to a formal investigation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mrs. de Winter (Lily James): A naive and insecure young woman who marries a wealthy widower and finds herself haunted by the legacy of his deceased first wife.
• Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer): A wealthy and brooding widower who marries a younger woman while concealing dark secrets about his first wife’s death.
• Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas): The sinister and intensely devoted housekeeper of Manderley, obsessed with the memory of her former mistress, Rebecca.
• Mrs. Van Hopper (Ann Dowd): A wealthy and overbearing American woman for whom the second Mrs. de Winter worked as a companion.
• Jack Favell (Sam Riley): Rebecca’s charismatic but dissolute cousin who attempts to blackmail Maxim and unearth the secrets surrounding Rebecca’s death.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mrs. de Winter: “Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.” – The iconic opening line of both the novel and the movie, setting a tone of haunting memory and loss.
• Mrs. Danvers: “She was the most wonderful person in the world. I loved her. I loved her so much.” – Mrs. Danvers expresses her obsessive devotion to the deceased Rebecca, highlighting the new Mrs. de Winter’s feelings of inadequacy.
• Maxim de Winter: “Do you think the dead come back and watch the living?” – Maxim’s question reflects his own haunting by the past and his complex relationship with Rebecca.
• Mrs. Danvers: “Rebecca is everywhere. In this house, in the gardens, in the gallery… even in the sea.” – Mrs. Danvers emphasizes how Rebecca’s presence permeates every aspect of Manderley, creating an oppressive atmosphere.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Rebecca Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched this ‘Rebecca’ with pretty low expectations, and honestly, I wasn’t blown away. The Monte Carlo scenes were gorgeous, all sunshine and romance, but once they got to Manderley, it just felt…flat. Kristin Scott Thomas was definitely the best part, she nailed Mrs. Danvers’ creepiness. I really wanted to love it, especially because I adore the novel, but it just didn’t have that unsettling, gothic vibe I was hoping for. I missed the suspense, and the ending felt rushed and a bit cheesy. I’ll probably stick with the Hitchcock version from now on, but it wasn’t a total waste of time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gothic romance”
  • “Viewers interested in period dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy stories with elements of mystery and suspense”
  • “Audiences who appreciate visually stunning films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief sexuality”
  • “Suicide”
  • “Some violence”
  • “Thematic elements related to death and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Visually lush but narratively uneven, this ‘Rebecca’ struggles to escape the shadow of Hitchcock. The performances are solid, particularly Kristin Scott Thomas, but the film lacks the psychological depth that made the original so compelling. A decent adaptation, but ultimately forgettable.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While the film offers a modern take on the gothic romance, it fails to capture the eerie atmosphere of the novel. Lily James is charming, but Armie Hammer’s performance is bland. Kristin Scott Thomas delivers a chilling performance, but can’t save the film from feeling superficial.
• Empire: “A visually stunning adaptation that offers a fresh perspective on the classic tale. Lily James shines as the vulnerable Mrs. de Winter, and Kristin Scott Thomas is deliciously wicked. While it may not surpass Hitchcock’s version, it’s a worthy addition to the ‘Rebecca’ canon.

Audience Reactions

Kristin Scott Thomas absolutely steals the show as Mrs. Danvers.: Most viewers agree that Kristin Scott Thomas’ portrayal of Mrs. Danvers is the standout performance.

The Monte Carlo scenes are visually stunning and capture the whirlwind romance effectively.: Many viewers appreciated the beautiful cinematography and the romantic atmosphere of the Monte Carlo setting.

Comparisons to the Hitchcock version are inevitable, and this adaptation falls short for some.: The film struggles to escape the shadow of the 1940 adaptation, with many feeling it lacks the same suspense and psychological depth.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing but ultimately underwhelming adaptation of the classic novel, with Kristin Scott Thomas’ performance as Mrs. Danvers being the most praised aspect.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “This adaptation aimed to be more faithful to Daphne du Maurier’s novel than Alfred Hitchcock’s 1940 film, exploring aspects that the earlier film couldn’t due to censorship at the time.”
• “Several locations were used to create the illusion of Manderley, including Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, England.”

🖥️ How to Watch Rebecca?

Rebecca (2020) is currently available for streaming on Netflix. While there are no direct purchase options for streaming, you can access it as part of your Netflix subscription. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rebecca, you might like these similar films:

• Rebecca (1940): The classic Hitchcock adaptation of the same novel, offering a different stylistic approach to the story.
• Gaslight (1944): Explores similar themes of psychological manipulation and a woman being driven to question her sanity by her husband.
• The Others (2001): A gothic horror film with a strong atmosphere of suspense and secrets within a large estate, focusing on a female protagonist haunted by the past.
• Crimson Peak (2015): Features a young woman entering a mysterious marriage and moving into a gothic mansion filled with secrets and a sinister atmosphere, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and the supernatural.

🛒 Rebecca Related Products

• Rebecca (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful adaptation, now in a stunning Criterion Collection edition. Includes special features like commentary, documentaries, and essays.
• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier: The original novel that inspired the movie. A classic of gothic literature, filled with suspense, mystery, and romance.
• Rebecca (Audible Audio Edition): Experience the chilling tale of ‘Rebecca’ with this captivating Audible audiobook. Let a skilled narrator bring Daphne du Maurier’s masterpiece to life, enhancing the gothic suspense and emotional depth.
• Rebecca Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie poster, perfect for adding a touch of gothic elegance to your home decor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Rebecca features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Cornfield Chase” – performed by Clint Mansell
• “Manderley” – performed by Clint Mansell
• “Hungarian Dance No. 6” – performed by Johannes Brahms

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Rebecca 2020, The Underwhelming Adaptation No One Asked For

Wondering if the 2020 Rebecca movie did the book justice? This video breaks down exactly what went wrong (and maybe a few things that went right!). I definitely agree with some of the points made here, you should check it out and see if you agree too.

1940: Rebecca – Hitchcock’s obsessions… Love, Violence and the Psycho-sexual

Curious about Hitchcock’s take on Rebecca? This video dives into the themes of love, power, and violence in his 1940 adaptation. It’s pretty insightful to see how different directors interpret the same story, and how many similarities they have. You’ve gotta watch this before the 2020 film to spot the comparisons!

Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier Analysis

Want to understand the *real* Rebecca before watching the movie? This video breaks down all the themes and context of Daphne Du Maurier’s novel. After watching it, you’ll be able to spot all the hidden gems (and maybe even some of the flaws) in the movie!

1971: Hit novel REBECCA was JUST A PHASE | Daphne du Maurier | Writers & Wordsmiths | BBC Archive

Ever wondered what Daphne du Maurier *really* thought about Rebecca? This rare interview gives you a peek into her creative process and inspiration. It’s super fascinating to hear her talk about her work in her own words, definitely worth a watch!

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