Hedda (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Nia DaCosta
- Studio
- Orion Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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.
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.
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Director Nia DaCosta
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Tessa Thompson as Hedda Gabler - Nicholas Bishop as Professor Thompson
- Milly Paris as Mrs. Thompson
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Nina Hoss as Eileen Lovborg
Also Starring in Hedda
· 16 more- Tom Bateman George Tesman
- Finbar Lynch Professor Greenwood
- Mark Oosterveen Professor Dunbar
- Mirren Mack Tabitha Greenwood
- Jack Barry Professor John Henry James
- Imogen Poots Thea Clifton
- Jamael Westman David
- Nicholas Pinnock Judge Roland Brack
- Sam Hoare Detective Logan
- Kathryn Hunter Bertie
- Stacey Gough Detective Smith
- Saffron Hocking Jane Ji
- Michelle Crane Joan
- Sonya Orlov Mrs. Dunbar
- Kirk Bowett Georges guest with Hook
- Jack Sherlock Jono
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.
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).
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.
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Metacritic 70 Metascore
User score 5.7
See on Metacritic
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$15.4K
- US & Canada
- $8.4K
- International
- $7K
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
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Spirit Awards 2026 2 nominations- Nominated Best Lead Performance – Tessa Thompson
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance – Nina Hoss
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NAACP Image Awards 2026 2 nominations- Nominated Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – Tessa Thompson
- Nominated Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film
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Golden Globes 2026 1 nomination- Nominated Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama – Tessa Thompson
Hedda Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Tessa Thompson and Tom Bateman talk working with each other on Hedda
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what time period and country is the story set?
Hedda Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “헤다” and “Έντα”.
- Also known as
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- 헤다
- Έντα
- הדה
- 海达
- 海妲
- هيدا
- ヘッダ
- Гедда
Seen Hedda?
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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