Is Rebecca on Netflix Worth Streaming?

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”  And just as the novel begins, so does the new adaption on Netflix, which will be available for streaming beginning October 21.  Rebecca is one of my favorite books of all time so I was a bit worried that Netflix wouldn’t do it justice.  Is Rebecca on Netflix worth streaming?  Keep reading to find out what I thought about Netflix’s adaption of one of my favorite novels.

Is Rebecca on Netflix Worth Streaming?

In Rebecca, a young woman marries a recently widowed man named Maxim de Winter.   She moves with him to his familial estate, Manderley, where she is racked by jealousy and fear, haunted by other people’s memories of Maxim’s deceased wife, Rebecca.  Here are the reasons why I think Rebecca is worth streaming on Netflix.

It’s a psychological thriller based on a popular novel.

Rebecca, a gothic suspense novel written by Daphne du Maurier, was originally published in 1938.  I’m always leery when books are adapted into movies.  However, Netflix’s adaption primarily stays true to the original storyline, which will no doubt please fans of the novel.  I love psychological thrillers and if you aren’t familiar with Rebecca, it will keep you guessing until the end.

The Cast is Exceptional.

Lily James is very convincing as the main character, Mrs. de Winter, especially with regard to her transformation from an innocent, trusting young woman to a woman with determination.  Armie Hammer, as Maxim de Winter displays a range of emotions, from looking at his wife at the beginning of the movie with tenderness to indifference as the movie progresses.  The standout, though, is Kristin Scott Scott, who perfectly portrays Mrs. Danvers, from her facial expressions to her chilling words.  

The Costume Design Accurately Depicts the Time Period.

The movie takes place in the 1930s and I loved seeing the outfits that the characters wore, especially the outfits worn by Mrs. de Winter.  From the sweater to the pants that she wore, I wish I could I have her wardrobe even in 2020.   

Most of the Movie Takes Place at Manderley.

Manderley is Maxim de Winter’s familial estate.  It represents much more than a physical location;  it has a symbolic meaning as well.  I’m trying not to reveal any spoilers so I’ll just leave it at that 🙂  

Is Rebecca on Netflix Kid Friendly?

The movie is rated PG-13, so parental guidance is suggested for kids that are under 13 years old.  While I did not notice any profanity, there are several characters who are quite nasty, to put it mildly.  One character refers to another character as “stupid girl” and uses coarse language like referencing a woman trapping a man between her legs.  This is also a somewhat steamy version of Rebecca.  For example, a man and woman appear to be having sex on a boat, although private body parents aren’t show.  And there are several steamy kisses between Maxim de Winter and Mrs. de Winter.  As for violence, there isn’t anything graphic although there are elements of fear and a fire.

Overall Thoughts

Up until a few months ago, I didn’t even know Netflix was going to release a remake of Rebecca.  I could write a whole treatise on the novel (and the movie), but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who is not familiar with the storyline.  The movie is a little over 2 hours long, and I didn’t want it to end for the reasons I listed above.  While I think that fans of the book will be pleased with Netflix’s adaption, I think it will also introduce a new generation to the writings of Daphne du Maurier. 

After a whirlwind romance in Monte Carlo with handsome widower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer), a newly married young woman (Lily James) arrives at Manderley, her new husband’s imposing family estate on a windswept English coast. Naive and inexperienced, she begins to settle into the trappings of her new life, but finds herself battling the shadow of Maxim’s first wife, the elegant and urbane Rebecca, whose haunting legacy is kept alive by Manderley’s sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas). Directed by Ben Wheatley (High Rise, Free Fire) and produced by Working Title Films (Emma, Darkest Hour), REBECCA is a mesmerising and gorgeously rendered psychological thriller based on Daphne du Maurier’s beloved 1938 gothic novel.