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Romantic drama

Hedda (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Hedda (2025) movie poster

Hedda is a 2025 romantic drama directed by Nia DaCosta, starring Tessa Thompson as Hedda Gabler, Nicholas Bishop and Milly Paris. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $15,358 worldwide. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Lead Performance at the Spirit Awards 2026. Critics gave it 70 on Metacritic.

worldwide gross
$15.4K
award nominations
5
Echo Score
78
Metascore
70
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Hedda (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Nia DaCosta
Genres
Drama , Romance
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Hedda About?

The premise of Hedda without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Hedda (Tessa Thompson) is torn between the lingering ache of a past love and the suffocating quiet of her present life. Over one charged night, long‑repressed desires and hidden tensions erupt, pulling her and those around her into a spiral of manipulation, passion and betrayal. It is a contemporary reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play Hedda Gabler.

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Cast & crew

Hedda Cast & Characters

Tessa Thompson leads the cast as Hedda Gabler, with Nicholas Bishop as Professor Thompson and Milly Paris as Mrs. Thompson. Directed by Nia DaCosta; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Hedda

· 16 more
From the director

More from Nia DaCosta

More films directed by Nia DaCosta, best-rated first: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Little Woods, The Marvels and Candyman.

Full filmography
Ratings

Hedda Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Hedda 70 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in sensory experience (84) and weakest in story & flow (68).

78 /100

Hedda Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Hedda presents a bold reinterpretation of Ibsen’s classic that leans more toward acclaim than disappointment. Critics highlight the film’s striking visual design and strong central performances, while audience reactions echo the same praise despite occasional remarks about pacing and stylistic excess. The direction and production values are frequently called vivid and painterly, yet some note an over‑stylized approach that can dampen narrative momentum. Consequently the film succeeds as an aesthetically compelling drama with enough emotional weight to merit repeated viewings, though its rhythm may divide viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    Regarding art and craft, the film’s direction and production design receive consistent commendation. Reviewers point to the sumptuous interiors, painterly compositions, and deliberate lighting that reinforce Hedda’s psychological confinement. While some critics describe the visual style as overly operatic or artificial, the majority view the aesthetic choices as vivid, cohesive, and supportive of the narrative’s themes.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When evaluating character and emotion, critics and viewers alike emphasize Tessa Thompson’s nuanced performance and Nina Hoss’s commanding presence, noting their ability to convey both vulnerability and menace. Supporting actors are described as adding depth to the interpersonal dynamics. A minority of comments criticize occasional flatness in secondary roles, yet the overall assessment underscores strong emotional resonance driven by the leads.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, the adaptation preserves the core conflict of Ibsen’s play while updating its setting for contemporary relevance. Reviewers appreciate the thematic continuity but point to uneven pacing, particularly in the film’s middle act where dialogue‑heavy scenes can feel stage‑bound. Consequently, the narrative retains intellectual vigor yet occasionally loses momentum, creating a mixed overall impression.

  • Sensory Experience 84

    The sensory experience is highlighted by a lush soundscape and meticulous visual styling. Critics note the film’s resonant score and precise sound design that augment tension, while the cinematography balances opulent period detail with modern chiaroscuro. Although a few reviewers describe the audio‑visual approach as over‑indulgent, the predominant view is that the sensory elements cohesively reinforce the film’s atmospheric intent.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s strong central performances and striking visuals provide reasons to return, especially for viewers attuned to thematic depth. However, the noted pacing lulls and occasional stylistic excess may diminish repeat enjoyment for some audiences. Overall, Hedda offers a compelling, if uneven, experience that rewards multiple viewings for those interested in its character study and aesthetic composition.

Plot

Hedda Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Hedda from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1950s England, Hedda Gabler Tesman is interrogated by police after a shooting at her estate. Flashbacks reveal that twenty-four hours earlier she narrowly escaped drowning in the estate’s lake, saved only when her former lover, Dr. Eileen Lovborg, called to confirm her attendance at a party that evening. Hedda, recently married to the debt-ridden academic George Tesman, hosts the gathering to secure a professorship for him from Professor Greenwood. But the arrival of Eileen—George’s rival for the position and Hedda’s past love—threatens to unravel their plans.

Full summary

The whole story of Hedda, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Hedda Box Office

Hedda grossed $15,358 worldwide. $8,393 came from the US and Canada and $6,965 (45%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.4K

US & Canada
$8.4K
International
$7K
US & Canada 55% Rest of the world 45%
Awards

Hedda Awards & Nominations

Hedda earned 5 award nominations, including Best Lead Performance at the Spirit Awards 2026. The 5 nominations come from 3 ceremonies.

5 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Hedda Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette Tessa Thompson and Tom Bateman talk working with each other on Hedda
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Hedda?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what time period and country is the story set?

Details

Hedda Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “헤다” and “Έντα”.

Also known as
  • 헤다
  • Έντα
  • הדה
  • 海达
  • 海妲
  • هيدا
  • ヘッダ
  • Гедда

Seen Hedda?

FAQ

Hedda FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Hedda, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Hedda?

Hedda runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).

When was Hedda released?

Hedda was released on October 22, 2025.

Who directed Hedda?

Hedda was directed by Nia DaCosta.

More films by Nia DaCosta

Who is in the cast of Hedda?

Hedda stars Tessa Thompson as Hedda Gabler, Nicholas Bishop as Professor Thompson and Milly Paris as Mrs. Thompson, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Hedda make at the box office?

Hedda grossed $15,358 worldwide ($8,393 domestic, $6,965 international).

How is Hedda rated?

Hedda has 70 on Metacritic.

Was Hedda nominated for any awards?

Hedda received 5 nominations across 3 ceremonies.

Does Hedda have a post-credit scene?

No. Hedda has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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