WARNING: the following contains major spoilers for Rebecca, now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix's Rebecca, directed by Ben Wheatley, is an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's novel of the same name, but it's also a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Oscar-winning 1940 feature-film version of the story. The narrative centers on an unnamed woman (played by Joan Fontaine in Hitchcock's original and Lily James in the 2020 version) who falls in love with and marries the mysterious widower Maxim de Winter (played by Laurence Olivier in 1940 and Armie Hammer in 2020). While she attempts to learn the rules of high society as the new mistress of Maxim's family estate, Manderley, the second Mrs. de Winter is haunted by the ghost of Maxim’s former wife and her strange death. Yet, although the 1940 version and the 2020 remake follow the same storyline, they differ in many ways. Here are the biggest differences between the two films.
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Characterization of Mr. and Mrs. de Winter
Similar to Fontaine’s depiction of Mrs. de Winter, James plays the character as an awkward, naive young woman who, after marrying Maxim and coming to Manderley, is uncomfortable with her new role as a high-society wife. However, James’ version is far more self-assured. She does not allow herself to be dominated by her husband and is almost an equal partner in their relationship. Conversely, Maxim de Winter, who is harsh and extremely quick-tempered in the Hitchcock classic, is far more soft-spoken and gentle in the new film. Unlike Laurence Olivier's Maxim, Armie Hammer's character does not treat his wife like a foolish child, and Mrs. de Winter is not nearly as juvenile. Her timidness is still present, though not quite so pronounced.
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Mrs. Danvers
The character of Mrs. Danvers serves as Mrs. de Winter’s primary living tormentor, obsessively working to keep Rebecca’s memory alive. Unlike Hitchcock’s adaptation, which paints Danvers as more one-dimensionally evil, Wheatley’s version attempts to add more nuance to the character. However, in both versions, there is a sexual subtext that can be read into Danvers' ongoing infatuation with Rebecca.
The new film also changes the manner of Mrs. Danvers’ death. Unlike the original, in which Danvers meets a fiery end after setting Manderley ablaze, the remake allows her a final monologue about Rebecca before she throws herself into the ocean.
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The Party Scene
In both films, Mrs. de Winter attempts to find her place in her new high-society life by throwing an extravagant party at Manderley, a long-standing tradition of Rebecca’s. However, the celebration swiftly goes awry when Mrs. de Winter arrives in a dress that, unbeknowst to her, had previously been worn by Rebecca.
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Hitchcock’s original spares Mrs. de Winter the embarrassment of being seen by most of the guests, but Wheatley’s protagonist has no such luck. After being wholly humiliated by Maxim's reaction to her costume, the character changes and makes an appearance at the party in a plain dress where she is introduced to some of Maxim’s wealthy friends. Her clothes set her apart from the upper-class guests she is so desperate to fit in with. The remake expands the party scene, making it almost a dream sequence. Not only does Mrs. de Winter see Rebecca’s ghost amid the guests, but she also watches as the drunken party-goers frantically chant Rebecca’s name as she becomes completely overwhelmed by her suspicions about her predecessor.
Rebecca's Death
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Perhaps the biggest twist of all comes when the truth behind Rebecca’s death is revealed. In both films, Maxim come under scrutiny after his late wife’s body is discovered, as evidence indicates Maxim may have been involved in her death. However, the two films differ when it comes to what Maxim tells his new wife about how Rebecca died. In the 1940 film, Maxim claims to be an innocent man who was there when Rebecca died by accident. However, in the new adaptation, Maxim confesses to holding a gun on his late wife and then pulling the trigger after she eggs him on. As a result, unlike the Hitchcock version in which Maxim’s innocence simply needs to be proven, in the Netflix version, the couple actively work to get away with murder.
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The Finale
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The ending of the two films differs as well. In both versions, Manderley burns down, forcing the de Winters to leave the estate behind. However, the Hitchcock film ends with Mrs. Danvers meeting her end along with the house as the camera focuses on a burning monogrammed "R" for Rebecca. Meanwhile, the 2020 remake shows the couple living abroad as the new Mrs. de Winter explains in voice-over that they are traveling the world searching for a new home to call their own.
Directed by Ben Wheatley, Rebecca stars Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sam Riley and Ann Dowd. It is currently available on Netflix.
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