'Much-loved' period drama streaming on Netflix but fans have one huge problem

Ben Wheatley's charming adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's 1938 novel of the same name, Rebecca, has hit online streaming service Netflix and fans couldn't be happier—until they watched the over two-hour period drama and something really irked them.

It follows a middle class woman played by the amazing Lilly James, who is barely recognisable from her role as a 'younger' Meryl Streep in 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. She arrives on the French Riviera during the 1930s to serve the wealthy Mrs Van Hopper, brought to life by Ann Dowd.

But her world is rocked after meeting the confident, comely and outrageously wealthy widow Maxim de Winter, with Armie Hammer putting on the assured performance he is so often known for. A whirlwind romance between the pair results in a surprise marriage, with the young woman soon becoming the new Ms de Winter.

A romantic and lavish honeymoon later, the newlyweds arrive at Maxim's gargantuan English mansion, Manderley, which is haunted by the ghosts of her predecessor, Rebecca. Her memory is being kept alive by loyal maid and housekeeper, Miss Danvers (Kristen Scott Thomas) - but how does the new wife manage, and does Ben Wheatley offer anything new for this well-adapted source material?

Viewers were not entirely pleased with the overall experience to say the least, with the film following in the footsteps of so many other adaptations. There's an old adage in the film industry that rings true way too often - nothing beats the original.

Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 classic was incredibly well received. Laurence Oliver, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders and company put on oustanding performances for 130 minutes that have long been acclaimed for its atmospheric storytelling, psychological tension, haunting ambience and incredibly complex characters. And fans don't seem to think the 2020 release does it justice.

Taking to Rotten Tomatoes to have their say, one viewer remarked: "Maybe Miss Danvers was right, this Rebecca has us longing for the original." While another added: "Ben Wheatleys Rebecca really fails to distinguish itself, ending up another by-the-numbers remake to be lost in streaming queues."

The qualities that catapulted Hitchcock's 'original' adaptation to its revered cult-classic status do not seem to be present, as someone criticised: "Not only fails to live up to Hitchcocks classic, but it eschews much of the Gothic mood and atmosphere that distinguished the original book and film."

"It's a shame that in adapting a piece of work with such ominous power," explained another. "Ben Wheatley could strip it of all its psychological intensity and create a version of Rebecca so puzzlingly flat."

Another lover of the 1940 release agreed, but still thinks there's value in watching the most recent version on Netflix: "So here's the truth, this isn't as good as the Hitchcock film, but that Rebecca isn't currently streaming anywhere, so my advice is to check out this take, and then seek out the original for a juicy contrast."

Rebecca (2020) is available to stream now on Netflix, so feel free to make your own mind up.