Hedda (2025)
Director: Nia DaCosta
Screenplay: Nia DaCosta
Based on: Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen
Stars: Tessa Thompson, Imogen Poots, Tom Bateman, Nicholas Pinnock, Nina Hoss
Release dates: September 7, 2025 (TIFF); October 22, 2025 (United States)
Plot: Hedda Gabler finds herself torn between the lingering ache of a past love and the quiet suffocation of her present life. Over the course of one charged night, long-repressed desires and hidden tensions erupt—pulling her and everyone around her into a spiral of manipulation, passion, and betrayal.
* * *
Hedda (2025) | Transcript
[Detective Smith] Hedda… Tesman.
Is that right?
This is your husband’s home.
“Hedda” is fine.
[Smith] So, could you tell us the events of the evening the way you remember them, leading up to the shooting?
No, my memory’s a bit fuzzy.
It was a party after all.
[Detective Logan clears throat]
[chuckles softly]
Certainly, I can do my best.
[intriguing music playing]
The first thing I remember seeing is a bloody mess of a person dragged into my foyer.
[Logan] Before that, please.
Well, there was a lot of yelling.
[Logan] Earlier.
Where should I start?
[Logan] The beginning.
[water rippling gently]
[bird calling in distance]
[birds calling]
[wings fluttering]
[George] Hedda?
Eileen Lovborg is on the phone.
She wants to talk to you.
Uh, insisted on it.
[Hedda breathing heavily]
[tense music with sharp vocal exhalations playing]
[takes slow, deep breath]
[Hedda] Eileen Lovborg.
I thought you never wanted to speak to me again.
[Eileen over phone] Hedda Gabler. I heard you’re having a party tonight.
Yes, introducing Mr. and Mrs.
George Tesman to society.
Showing who we are.
Who you aren’t.
[Hedda chuckles]
So, will you come?
It’ll be just like the old days.
[chuckles] Let’s hope not.
[Hedda chuckles softly]
I’ll see you tonight.
[line clicks]
Eileen?
[sighs]
[rousing percussive music playing]
[sighs heavily]
[taking deep, shaky breaths]
[sighs]
[busy chatter]
Please. I told you this morning, John, I want seven more lemons, all right?
Righto, ma’am.
Lovely work, darling. Lovely.
Ah, finally, there’s a lady who knows what she’s doing.
Still, you can lay into it a bit more.
And after it’s rolled, you get into the potatoes. All right.
Quick as a cat, now. Quick as a cat.
[groans] The thread is loose.
No flowers.
Yes, ma’am.
♪ ♪
Hello. Get these out.
Apologies, ma’am.
[busy chatter]
[chandelier clinking]
Whoa!
Sorry, ma’am. We weren’t thinking.
Flowers.
Flowers everywhere.
Morning, ma’am.
Out.
[sighs]
[gun fires]
[sighs]
[man] Good morning, Your Honor.
[Brack] Morning.
[Hedda] Judge Brack.
You’re a bit early for a party, aren’t you?
[Brack] Buying you this house, Mrs. Tesman.
Shall I punish you?
Don’t point that thing at me.
[Brack gasps]
[Hedda chuckling]
Are you out of your bloody mind?
Oh, no. I didn’t hit you, did I?
Does your husband know you’re up there?
[Hedda] Ask him yourself.
[wings fluttering]
[quiet jazz music playing]
[George] Judge Brack gave us the loan despite your antics.
The professorship and the endowment is how I pay him back, so talk to Professor Greenwood tonight, would you?
To what end?
He decides on the professorship.
I need him on my good side.
And he likes people like you.
He likes, uh, Bohemians.
Uh, no, no.
He needs to have fun tonight, or I’ll never hear the end of it.
You’ll be fine, Tesman.
Tonight will be fun.
You’ll meet my friends.
I’ll meet your colleagues.
I have friends, too, Hedda. Don’t be rude.
Uh, it’s your friends.
Your friends are the ones…
Oh, trust me, George, they’re well-behaved and well-bred, and Greenwood will love them and you by extension.
Yes, well, he better had.
‘Cause nothing can go wrong tonight, Hedda.
Hedda, nothing.
I’ve heard you.
Oh, and keep those guns out of sight.
[sighs] Right.
Do the clasp at the top.
[clears throat]
No, not the necklace.
Oh.
Has Lovborg called again?
No.
You know, I was… [clears throat] rather surprised that she’d been invited.
Oh, I forgot to mention.
Hedda.
Yes?
This is all happening because you wanted it.
The house, the party.
Lot of money and effort was expended for you.
I hope you’re happy.
Don’t I look happy?
[chuckles softly]
[♪ Betty Hutton sings “It’s a Man”]
♪ Girls, girls ♪
[over car radio] ♪ Watch out, watch out… ♪
You will dance with me, won’t you? [chuckles] I may.
[scatting along to music]
♪ If it smokes a great big cigar ♪
♪ and it hangs around at a bar… ♪
[music stops]
You look wonderful, darling.
Thank you.
You look very handsome.
[man] Evening, Professor Greenwood.
[Greenwood] Thank you.
[Tabitha] Thank you.
[lively crowd chatter]
[Hedda] Is Brack still here?
[George] Well, he’s… he’s practically family.
He’s business. He’s functional.
Know the difference.
Glasses.
Hmm? Oh.
Mrs. Tesman. I was…
Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar, I’m so glad you could make it after all.
[Mr. Dunbar] Good to see you, George.
Oh, good to see you. Thank you for coming.
Charming. I love your… flower thing.
[Mrs. Dunbar] Thank you.
Judge Brack, would you mind showing them in?
Of course.
Please.
Thank you.
[Hedda scoffs, sighs]
Ah, Professor Greenwood.
Thank you for coming.
Good evening.
Pleasure.
Uh, this is my wife Tabitha.
How do you do?
Pleasure.
[Hedda] All mine.
Champagne, darling?
Mmm. Thank you.
[Hedda] Just through there.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
[chuckles] Ta.
[Tabitha] She’s duskier than I thought she would be.
[Greenwood] Not so loud, darling.
[man] Did you bring your joint?
[server] Champagne?
[cork pops]
[woman] Of course I did.
What do you take me for?
[man chuckling]
[Mrs. Dunbar] Oh, my.
[man] Who’s that?
[Mrs. Dunbar] Peculiar-looking man.
Is his ear pierced?
Who is he?
Can’t be one of George’s friends, surely.
[woman] Oh, those are definitely Mrs. Tesman’s friends.
[George] I saw… I saw you talking to Professor Greenwood.
[Mr. Dunbar] Mm.
Um, how far back do you go with him?
Oh, fair bit, actually.
I mean, it must be a good ten years now.
He may not recall me immediately, but, uh, before I had tenure…
[Tabitha chuckles]
[Tabitha] We weren’t even sure we were at the right place when we arrived, it’s so…
I’m sorry, Tabitha. What did you say?
[both laughing]
Oh, just that we were so surprised when we came up the drive.
Hmm.
It’s very nice.
It’s bigger than we thought it would be.
Judge Brack, have you met Professor Greenwood’s wife, Tabitha?
She’s a… painter, she says.
[Tabitha] Mm.
Lovely to meet you.
Now, be a dear and get me one of these if you’re topping up.
Excuse me.
[Hedda] Mm. [clears throat]
[Brack chuckling]
Very rude.
We have servants for that.
Oh, but I know you like your games.
Did I scare you off with my gun earlier?
You haven’t come around to say hello.
Really? You’re avoiding me.
You love a chase.
You seem…
What?
On edge.
[Hedda scoffs softly]
The house is beautiful.
Bit more than we discussed.
Don’t start.
A Mrs. Ellison is at the door.
Says she’s an old friend.
Bring her in.
Yes, ma’am.
[Tabitha clears throat] You’re a doll.
[Tabitha and Hedda chuckle softly]
So, tell me, what type of paintings do you do?
[clock chiming]
[conversation fades]
[chuckles softly]
Oh, no. Did you walk here?
Mrs. Tesman, I am so sorry to interrupt.
I had no idea you were in town, Mrs. Ellison.
Of course, I would have invited you.
I just wanted to talk to you about, um… just to see if…
Yes?
Uh, Eileen Lovborg.
Is she here?
I insist you stay.
Oh, no, no.
[stammers] But not dressed like this.
Well, I…
Let’s get you out of these clothes.
What about your guests?
Get you changed.
Nobody needs me, Mrs. Ellison.
You have my undivided attention.
I just need to talk to her.
How have you been since, uh…
Secondary school.
Yes, right.
How is Mr. Ellison?
How are things going at home?
Oh, come now, Mrs. Ellison.
Please stop. Don’t call me that.
Just “Thea” is fine.
Of course.
Well, let’s get you out of these clothes… Thea.
You can talk to me, school friend.
We weren’t friends at school.
You used to pull my hair.
[Hedda chuckles]
Did I?
You were terrifying back then.
[Hedda laughing]
I don’t remember.
Every time you passed me on the stairs.
Once, you told me that you would burn it all off.
[Hedda under breath]
Amazing I never got around to it.
Hmm?
Oh! I said, “I think this gown might do it.”
Will you be gone from home long?
Yes.
What will you do on your own?
Work.
With Eileen?
Yes.
Not your color.
What about money?
I write.
I cowrote the last book with Eileen.
The one that sold out two weeks ago.
You’re published?
Well, my name isn’t on it.
But we finished the first draft of the next one, and… it’s her best work yet.
It’s sort of our…
Your baby?
Yes.
You could say that.
My name’s on it, right underneath hers.
Thea Ellison?
Uh, Thea Clifton.
I don’t want my husband’s name on it.
No, just your father’s. Raise your arms.
She’s a bit rough around the edges.
Last I heard, she’d been arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
She’s different now.
She’s softer, more careful.
She’s changed.
I got her to stop drinking.
She understands how bad it is for her now.
Quite the impression you’ve made.
Uh, I don’t think so.
Oh, no, don’t be shy.
Seems you have rehabilitated our little love bug.
That’s what she says.
Does she?
And you are here to make sure that she stays out of trouble, is that it?
She is coming, isn’t she?
Yes.
[dress zips]
Please don’t say anything.
I just worry.
And you left your husband a bit sooner than you planned?
[lively chatter] [piano playing elegant music] [Hedda] We need another chair and setting.
Certainly, ma’am.
Hop down, would you?
Hop?
Hop. [chuckles] Hop, hop, hop.
[chuckles]
[chairs creaking, dragging]
[dishes clattering]
Perfect.
See? No trouble at all.
This, my friends, is “Thaya” Ellison.
“Theea.”
Is it?
Oh.
Yeah.
[man clears throat]
[lively, indistinct chatter]
[laughter]
[George] Remind me, you do, uh, translate ancient Greek?
[Professor James] Well, yes.
[George] I would love to, um, pick your brain.
Y-Y-You wouldn’t believe the things I found in these libraries: old documents, notes, papers that no one even knew existed.
You certainly made the most of your honeymoon.
Didn’t waste any time.
No, I didn’t.
So, you were doing research on your honeymoon?
For the whole six months?
Um… [clears throat] Uh, yes, yes.
Nothing else a bit more lively?
[laughing] Hedda has an insatiable appetite.
Well, we ate at a lot of very excellent restaurants.
Ah. Yes. Well, she does love eating out.
Uh…
Uh…
[James] You must be one of Mrs. Tesman’s friends.
[Jane] Yes. Usually.
When I’m in her good graces. [laughs] Jane.
[James] Oh.
[chatter continues indistinctly]
[Jane] James… is that a first or a last name?
[James] Uh, last.
Uh, Professor John Henry James.
[Hedda] Who are you looking at?
No one.
Everyone.
There’s this woman that Eileen used to be… acquainted with.
And she says that she tried to shoot her when Eileen broke it off.
[chuckles] People don’t do things like that here.
Well, she’s back, this woman.
If she’s here when Eileen comes, then I’m worried that things might get out of hand.
Stop fretting, Thea.
Eileen will be here soon enough, and you can fear for her safety then.
I just don’t want her to lose this opportunity.
What?
At the university.
The professorship and the endowment.
Oh, she won’t admit it, but she really needs this job.
Not just for her wellbeing but for her debts.
And she’s bringing the new manuscript to show Greenwood.
Hopefully, it seals the deal, but I…
Let’s not talk business at the table.
[tense percussive music plays]
Hmm.
[George] I’m not worried at all about it.
I’ll get this position and, uh, begin payments…
Eileen Lovborg is applying for your position at the university, George, endowment and all.
What?
She’s asked to be considered.
I’m in competition with that woman?
She cozied up to Professor Greenwood.
Him or his wife?
George.
[George] What she gets up to.
What does she get up to?
[George chuckles] Oh, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors.
[chuckles softly]
I’ve heard she’s reformed, changed her ways.
Stopped drinking, apparently.
[Brack] Really?
Mm.
While she was at the Ellisons’.
[George] Yeah, but what’s that matter?
We got married, we borrowed money, we went into debt, because the position was virtually mine.
[Brack] That was before the reappearance of Eileen Lovborg.
Don’t be afraid of a little competition, Tesman.
[George] This isn’t a game.
Do you even care?
I care deeply, my love.
I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
He hates owing people money.
I already told him there’s no big rush.
Although I do wish we’d have been a bit more economical.
Hush.
Come.
Where are you taking me?
I said, “Hush.”
[James] Lovely house, George.
[George] I’m glad you like it.
Some of your wife’s friends are interesting characters.
Um…
[tense music with sharp vocal exhalations playing]
♪ ♪
What’s this?
Don’t say the key to your heart.
[Hedda scoffs]
The gun case.
I found it in the attic.
So it was General Gabler’s gun you were shooting at me earlier.
Hmm.
Sure I can’t buy them from you?
Now that you’ve found them?
It’s the only thing he left me. [chuckles] I know some bastard children that have fared far worse than you.
Thank you for the reminder.
Do you know what my father used to call me?
His pretty little thing.
So he gave me his prettiest things.
These.
[chuckles]
You have always been a pretty little thing.
I missed you.
Every day you were gone.
Me, too.
Do you mean that?
I thought you were having a marvelous time.
Marvelous.
[both chuckling] Tesman said that…
[laughing] It was marvelous for him.
That old fool.
[Brack] It’s your choice.
[Hedda] Well, my time was up.
Anyway…
What do you know of Eileen Lovborg’s reappearance?
What about it?
What’s her state?
What’s she like?
Well, it’s as you said.
She’s on the straight and narrow.
She still has some seedy friends, but they’re all good fun in moderation.
Why?
You want her, don’t you?
No.
She has a hold over you.
No one has a hold over me.
Oh, that’s sad.
Hmm.
This house is between you and Tesman.
This house was only ever for you.
You needed it, he said.
[laughing] You believed that?
You, too, think that this house is my life’s great passion.
Isn’t it?
No.
Tesman used to walk me home last summer after those dinner parties, and we passed by here one night, and there was a lull in the conversation.
I bought this house on a lull?
It was a pregnant pause.
Pregnant with twins, I hope.
[chuckles] He was a nervous wreck trying to think of something to say to me.
Something clever and… [sighs] I suppose I felt bad for him.
I don’t know, Roland.
On a whim, I just said I wanted the house.
Just like that?
Just like that.
And?
The next thing I knew, I was married to him.
[chuckles]
And my whimsicality had its consequences.
As it often does, Hedda, for us all.
Sometimes I can’t help myself.
I just do things all of a sudden on a whim.
I don’t know why.
So…
Eileen.
You’ve really heard nothing?
Nothing that would make George the wrong choice.
Stay away from her, Hedda.
You are still General Gabler’s daughter, and that woman is…
Competition.
Not to me.
Come.
[Hedda gasping]
Don’t resist me.
You have no power over me.
I control this.
I say when.
[explosion]
[fireworks crackling, whooshing]
[guests whooping]
Really, Hedda?
Well, if I’ve unwittingly resigned myself to a life of poverty, I might as well go down in style.
[Brack sighs]
[tense, atmospheric music playing]
[Thea] I felt like, um… like I couldn’t breathe.
Well, yyou’ll be fine. It’s…
Uh, it’s happened to me before, but, um…
Why don’t you wait upstairs, and I will retrieve you when, uh, Dr. Lovborg comes.
[Thea] Okay.
She’s, um, not feeling well.
Hmm. Poor thing. [chuckles]
♪ ♪
[Hedda scoffs]
Don’t fuss.
Let’s join the others.
[guests oohing and a-ahing]
[band playing “Crazy She Calls Me”]
♪ I say I’ll go through fire ♪
♪ and I’ll go through fire ♪
♪ As he wants it, so it will be ♪
♪ Crazy he calls me ♪
♪ Sure, I’m crazy ♪
♪ Crazy in love, I say ♪
♪ I say I’ll move the mountains ♪
♪ and I’ll move the mountains ♪
♪ If he wants them out of the way ♪
[quiet, indistinct chatter]
Thank you.
♪ Crazy he calls me ♪
♪ Sure, I’m crazy ♪
♪ Crazy in love ♪
♪ am I ♪
Hedda, darling, livelier music.
What?
[song ends] What is the matter with you?
I thought this was going to be a rager.
You seemed absolutely ready for carnage when you invited me.
[chuckling] Music. Damn it, Hedda.
Shut up, Jane. I’ve heard you.
[scoffs] It seems some of my guests are getting restless.
Could you help?
Sure.
[band playing “It’s Oh So Quiet”]
[Jane] Oh.
♪ Shh ♪
[Jane] Much better.
[chuckling]
♪ Shh ♪
♪ It’s oh so quiet…
You two.
[Mr. Dunbar] No, no, no.
Oh, come now.
It’s just a waltz.
[sighs] She’s raring to go.
[Mrs. Dunbar] Come on, darling.
[Mr. Dunbar sighs]
You.
Oh. [chuckles] Maybe later.
I’ll hold you to it.
[chuckles] My love?
Oh, I couldn’t.
Oh, come now.
♪ You fall in love ♪
♪ Zing, boom ♪
♪ The sky up above ♪
♪ Zing, boom ♪
♪ Is caving in ♪
♪ Wham, bam! ♪
♪ You’ve never been so nuts about a guy…
You two next.
[laughter]
♪ You cross your heart and hope to die ♪
♪ It’s over and then ♪
♪ Shh, shh ♪
♪ It’s nice and quiet ♪
♪ Shh, shh ♪
♪ But soon again ♪
[laughs]
♪ Shh, shh ♪
Georgie! Sorry, you don’t mind if I borrow him, do you?
♪ Starts another big riot ♪
♪ You blow a fuse ♪
♪ Zing, boom ♪
♪ The devil cuts loose ♪
♪ Zing, boom ♪
♪ So what’s the use ♪
♪ Wham, bam! ♪
♪ Of falling in love? ♪
[song fades]
[faint, distorted whooping]
[breathing heavily]
[atmospheric music playing]
[muffled, distorted applause]
[continues breathing heavily]
[applause stops]
[haunting, jazzy music playing]
[gasps softly]
[Eileen] Hedda…
[gasps] Gabler.
[George] Dr. Lovborg.
It has been a long, long time.
Thank you for coming.
Thank you for having me, Tesman.
Mrs. Tesman.
Uh, please come in. Uh, have a drink.
I’ve brought a couple of friends, if that’s all right.
[George] Sadly…
[Hedda] The more the merrier.
[Eileen] In you come.
Oh. Aren’t you gorgeous?
[Hedda] Charming.
Down, boy. This is her husband, Dr. George Tesman.
Where’s the bar, George?
Just there.
Come on.
Please.
[David] Hmm.
[gasps] You said that they would behave.
And they have been.
Hedda.
This isn’t… my fault.
Right.
[George clears throat]
[Hedda] Dr. Lovborg.
I hear that your new book has been selling quite well.
That’s so exciting.
Yes, I’ve just got a copy of it myself.
I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but, um…
Save yourself the trouble.
Well, there’s no need to be humble, Dr. Lovborg.
I’m not.
There’s nothing much to it, really.
Well, it was very well-reviewed.
And that’s all I wanted, so I put nothing remotely controversial in the book.
Oh.
Isn’t the book about sex?
In the classical era.
No one’s scandalized by people fucking on millennia-old clay pots.
[George clears throat] [Hedda chuckling] Or perhaps I’m mistaken.
Another drink. Two drinks.
[Eileen] Anyway…
The real work is this.
Something of a sequel to the first.
Well, what’s there left to talk about?
The future.
Of?
Sex, yes.
What could we know about the future of th-that or anything?
We can point to some trends.
Well, I would never have thought to write anything like that.
No, probably not.
Lovborg.
Professor Greenwood.
Lovely to see you looking so well.
Thank you.
Drink?
Very, very tempting, but no, thank you.
Some water or a soft drink for me, please.
Soft drink?
[David] George!
You have a maze?
[laughter]
[Hedda] Can I see it?
[Eileen] It’s the only complete copy I have, and you’re not getting your hands on it.
[indistinct chatter and laughter nearby]
[George] Hedda, darling?
[Brack] Mrs. Tesman.
[George] Hedda? Hedda, dear?
Let the women talk.
[laughs] Come.
[George] Hedda, wait. Hedda!
[both laughing]
[lively percussive music playing]
Hedda!
[indistinct chatter and laughter]
[Hedda panting]
[George] Hedda, where are you?
Hedda Gabler.
Married.
To George Tesman?
[chuckles] Yes.
So it goes.
How could you throw yourself away?
What?
He’s so…
He’s kind.
He’s an academic like you.
He’s white.
He’s…
And thoroughly middleclass.
He has a good job, or will.
Or might.
[George in distance] Hedda?
When will you understand that anything you need in life, you must build for yourself?
[chuckles softly] What will you do when he gets bored?
If he leaves you, once he sees through you?
I think I’ll be all right.
He goes on and on about how he wants to take care of me, give me anything I want.
Like this ridiculous house?
His ambition is deeper than his pockets.
The judge helped a bit.
He promised my father he’d look after me.
Help out here and there.
What a ménage à trois.
[Hedda scoffs softly]
[George in distance] Hedda!
Don’t you miss me?
Like an appendix.
[Hedda chuckles softly]
You’re happy now, all of a sudden.
Is that it?
Good company will do that.
Hmm.
Just a quick look.
No!
No, no. Hedda, no.
No!
[George] Hedda?
Hey!
[George] Oh. There you are.
And the view from Valle d’Ampezzo was absolutely breathtaking.
[Eileen] Was it?
What was the name of those mountains, darling?
Uh, the Dolomites.
The Dolomites, of course. [laughs] Funny those mountains.
I hear you’ve been cured of your vices.
You’re never cured of your vices.
You resist them.
And you resist?
Yes.
Every time?
Going on three months, three days.
I don’t believe it.
Your beliefs are no business of mine.
The woman I knew couldn’t stop when she started.
Which is why I never start.
You ruined your sister’s wedding, you were so drunk and high, if I remember correctly.
Which is why I never start.
Has she spoken to you since?
Will she let you around the children yet?
Shut up, Mrs. Tesman.
Touchy.
No.
I’m just annoyed with myself that I ever confided in you.
Power you had over me.
You think I had a power over you?
Yes.
The kind intelligent women wield when they’re catastrophically bored.
Where are you going?
Where’s Thea?
I’m tired of running around this ridiculous hedge.
I’m back in town less than a day, and I’m already wrapped up in your frivolous life.
[Hedda] Frivolous?
[Eileen] Frivolous and cowardly.
[Hedda scoffs] You waste your time scrambling about like a roach, trying to shape a man’s destiny.
“Roach.”
Shape your own.
Oh, please.
Come on and work. Write.
Do whatever. Do something.
I left my mother’s house when I was 17 years old.
When she found your lesbian sex book, yes.
I know all about it.
You know nothing.
Actually, I do.
I’ve done my own research since.
In secret, I suppose.
Where no one can see or suspect, keeping your reputation clean.
Always.
Hedda, you could be so much more.
Look what I’ve done.
You could do anything.
Like what?
Become a professor?
Tell me, how many women are at the university teaching?
Two.
Hmm.
And they’re both white, I presume.
[sighs] Whatever.
You’re upset I couldn’t choose you.
I was.
Once.
Not anymore.
Not for a long time.
Since Thea?
I know she’s still there.
I saw her little bag near the door.
Do you know the roach can live without its head for a week?
Excuse me?
She’s upstairs.
Hedda.
[scoffs]
[distant, lively chatter]
[dishes clattering]
You’re quite the duo, you and Thea.
She’s brilliant.
She’s just been bullied into stupidity.
Oh, I believe that.
Leaving her husband for a promise and a credit is quite something.
Yes, it is.
Brave.
Careful.
You’ll make me jealous.
What?
Still like your guns?
Yes. [chuckles softly] Why didn’t you shoot me back then?
When you left?
When I left.
[sighs]
Because I knew you really wanted me to.
Of course.
What?
Coward at heart.
[somber music playing]
That wasn’t my greatest act of cowardice.
Are you braver now?
Of course not.
Where’s Thea?
Second door on the left.
[shudders]
[door opens]
[Thea] Where have you been?
I called at your house, but they said you had gone.
I had to leave.
[lively music with sharp vocal exhalations playing]
[takes deep, shuddering breath]
[taking slow, deep breaths]
[lively chatter, cheering]
[Brack] You don’t seem glad for the company.
[Hedda] Hmm?
I am. I am.
I just…
I’m just thinking about when everyone leaves, how… it’s a big house, isn’t it?
If I can’t even entertain as I expected…
I wonder whether I couldn’t get Tesman interested in a political career.
[scoffs] No, my dear.
Political life is not for him.
He is aggressively unsuited to it.
Perhaps, but couldn’t I ease him in that direction, make him take it up?
Why put him in a position to fail?
I’ve told you.
Do you think it absolutely impossible for him to become, say, a cabinet minister?
[chuckling] Cabinet minister?
Uh, for him to become a cabinet minister, he’d need to have money, a lot of money.
Money, money, money.
What’s got into you?
Is it completely hopeless?
The professorship?
Honestly, perhaps.
I’m as surprised as you by the new Lovborg.
She made a big comeback.
And she’s bold and provocative.
And she’s a woman.
And they like that these days… in moderation.
Worry yourself about anything else.
I’m sure you’ll have some greater responsibility, something more… pressing.
You won’t ever see anything like that happen.
Never.
And why not?
I’d be a terrible mother.
I’d be dreadful at it.
You made the safe choice.
The only choice, really, for someone like you.
Nothing you can do now.
Just play the part and stay out of trouble.
[sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
[tense percussive music playing]
Make sure Professor Greenwood never has an empty glass.
That one over there.
Yes, ma’am. Very well.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[laughter]
[server] Another drink, sir?
Oh, I’ll have a Manhattan.
Very good, sir.
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
Oh.
Excuse me, ladies.
I’ve heard so much about you, Mrs. Tesman.
Hmm. Not enough to know not to call me that.
If we’re to be friends.
You want to be friends?
Hmm.
So, what have you heard?
That before you were domesticated, you were like fire.
Oh. You’re a poet.
[both laughing]
Obvious?
Like everything else about you.
Mm.
Tell me about me.
Do you know, I would, but you’re far too sober for that kind of honesty.
Couldn’t agree more.
[Hedda laughs] In that case…
Martini, please, for the gentleman.
And one for Mrs. Greenwood.
[Eileen] You will be ruined.
I’ll be a ruined wife.
I won’t be a ruined woman.
And when they publish our book, there’s nothing anyone will be able to say against us.
Well, they will.
But it won’t matter.
[knocking at door] It’s okay. It’s okay.
Everyone’s pissed.
Won’t know their ass from their elbows.
Ah.
What a pretty sight.
Hedda, is it okay if I borrow your dress for the evening?
I’ll have it cleaned and sent back by tomorrow.
Oh, you’re not leaving, are you?
Best to resist temptation.
Oh, come on, Eileen.
You’re stronger than that.
Let’s go.
Oh, shame. I just came up to let you know that Professor Greenwood wanted to talk to you about your book… the new one.
He asked for me?
[Hedda] Mm.
And his defenses are down.
[George] Hedda.
I need you downstairs.
Won’t be a moment.
Now.
[quiet, tense music playing]
Course.
[Hedda panting]
[George] What were you doing up there?
Have you even spoken to Professor Greenwood yet?
The core thesis frames empathy as a disorder.
Now, that is very interesting.
II feel I’ve come to a similar conclusion myself.
Where have you gone with it?
Well, empathy…
[conversation fades]
♪ ♪
[sighs softly]
[takes deep breath]
[server] Madam?
No, thank you.
[chuckles]
[Thea] What’s so funny?
Oh, Hedda is going to cause some trouble.
I can tell.
It’s fine.
Just stay out of the path of destruction.
Pardon me. [chuckles]
[George] Oh.
Hello.
When are you going to talk to him?
When he’s done with Tesman.
Professor Greenwood, do you approve of Scotch?
I do approve… hugely.
[Hedda] Well, then you need another drink.
Let’s go.
[Greenwood] Oh, how lovely.
You’ve come to show him the book, so show him the book.
Are you going to join?
Oh, Professor, I’ll-I’ll help you get a drink.
[Greenwood] Oh.
[Thea] He’ll see how much you’ve changed. Everybody will.
There’s nothing to be afraid of.
I’m not afraid.
Come on.
[tense percussive music playing]
Steady on, if you can.
[chuckles]
Hello.
Hello.
Your best bottle.
Couple glasses.
[hushed, indistinct chatter]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[server] A drink, madam?
[Eileen] No, thank you.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[clock chiming]
What are you up to?
Nothing. Nothing at all.
I should leave before something terrible happens, shouldn’t I?
Don’t be silly.
Best time to leave a party is after something terrible has happened but before the police come.
[both laughing]
Dreadful girl.
[tense music with sharp vocal exhalations playing] Oh, Hedda.
[Jane sighs]
[indistinct chatter]
Mrs. Tesman.
Marvelous party. An eclectic bunch.
I wanted to be sure we had fun.
Couldn’t just talk about tombs, books and the Bronze Age all night, could we?
Can’t wait to read your book, Eileen.
It sounds fascinating.
I could get you an early copy.
If you wanted to write an early review in your journal.
I’ll see if we can find some space.
[chuckles] Well, I ought to be going.
Has anyone seen my wife?
I think she’s in the maze.
Oh.
[Hedda chuckles] Well, good night, ladies.
Dr. Lovborg.
Professor Greenwood.
I shall be seeing you soon.
Such a pleasure.
Mm.
Ah, Roland. How are you?
Reginald.
Lovely to see you.
Off so soon, Professor?
Thank you so much.
Um… [clicks tongue]
[Eileen] Did you hear that?
Yes, it’s amazing. It’s really happening.
I promised you it would.
[server] Martini for you, madam?
Drink something. You look thirsty.
[Thea] I don’t drink.
Eileen? One can’t hurt.
She doesn’t drink, either.
Never?
I thought you were just cutting back.
That’s not what I said.
And if I say you have to?
Then you’d be speaking.
[laughs] You wouldn’t do as I say?
Not where that is concerned, no.
I think you should.
It’s ridiculous. It’s silly.
Really?
It’s all right for Thea but not for you.
You can write your books with them and teach with them at the university, and you might even be able to get jobs alongside them, but they’ll never really respect you if they think you can’t do it like the boys do.
Hedda, please.
[Hedda] You saw Greenwood’s face earlier when you asked for a soft drink like a soft woman.
What did you see?
Contempt.
I’m used to contempt.
Contempt for your extracurricular interests, yes, but for your mind, your character?
He can think what he likes.
A woman of principle.
[chuckles softly]
What did I tell you earlier?
No need to be so upset.
[Eileen] Upset?
Hedda.
[Hedda] See for yourself.
This state of mortal panic.
Has it come to this?
In mortal panic on my account?
Oh, relax, Eileen.
She only asked that Tesman look after you at the university.
Look after me?
Make sure you stay out of trouble.
Hedda, please.
[Eileen] Like a babysitter?
No. No.
[Hedda] I mean, I suppose.
Sort of.
[Thea] What are you doing?
Me?
After everything we’ve been through?
You run here and you involve my colleague in my business?
He must think I’m…
From the academics to the gossiping ladies in the corner.
Coward at heart.
[picks up glass]
[Eileen] To your health.
And to yours.
Eileen.
[Eileen] Please.
Call me Dr. Lovborg when we’re around my colleagues.
I think I’ll go and speak to your husband, Mrs. Tesman.
Mm.
Why are you like this?
You must know who she is by now.
[sighs] Oh, God.
She’ll be in control.
You’ll see.
I know who you are.
You don’t want her in control.
I’m not stupid, Hedda.
No, you’re not stupid.
You’re so clever, aren’t you?
So brave.
[tense music with sharp vocal exhalations playing]
Perhaps I should burn it off after all.
[Hedda laughs]
Let go of me, please.
If you ruin this for her, she’ll never forgive you.
[chuckles softly]
[indistinct chatter]
[Hedda sighs]
[Hedda] Do you want to go for a swim?
[Jane] Yes.
[Hedda] Should we all go?
[Jane] Right. Everyone… we’re going for a swim.
Yes.
Well, come on.
But I don’t have any trunks.
You don’t need any.
[laughter, lively chatter]
Dr. Lovborg, may I borrow you?
Oh, come, darling.
Not now. We’re leaving.
What are you so afraid of, Thea?
[hushed, indistinct chatter]
[lively percussive music playing]
[whooping, laughter]
Eileen.
[Hedda] Thea, come now.
[Eileen] Thank you, darling.
Let’s go for a swim.
No, I’m fine here near the fire.
Thank you.
If you don’t bend, you’ll break.
Don’t be such a bore.
I’m not a bore. It’s cold.
[Hedda] Jane.
Will you tell her to get the stick out of her ass and get in the lake, please?
Thea, get that stick out your ass and get in the lake, please.
[Thea] No.
[Jane] Come on.
Thea!
Be brave.
[Jane chanting] Thea!
[all] Thea! Thea!
Thea! Thea! Thea!
Thea! Thea!
[chant dies down] No! No! No!
No! No! No!
No, no! Eileen!
Eileen, Eileen, Eileen.
[laughing]
Stop laughing at me. Eileen!
No! No!
[Thea screams]
[others cheering]
Oh, God. [laughs] Oh, dear.
[Thea] Fuck!
[quiet chatter]
You’ll let me know if this gets out of hand.
Certain liberties come with power, George.
Enjoy them.
[guests cheering, laughing]
[Eileen] Thea, wait. Thea, stop.
Come on.
[Eileen] Don’t make a thing of it.
[Hedda] She’ll be fine. Let her cool down.
[Eileen chuckles]
She’s going to make me pay for that in the morning.
Can I watch?
[scoffs] You just do whatever you want, don’t you?
Course.
Otherwise, what would be the point?
[chuckling]
[insects chirring]
[heavy breathing, moaning nearby]
Oh, dear.
Terribly sorry. [chuckles]
[laughing]
Tabitha?
[David] Oh, fuck.
[Greenwood] Tabitha.
I’ll kill him.
No, Reginald!
Who was that? Who was that man?
[laughter, lively chatter]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[laughing]
[Tabitha] Reginald!
[Greenwood] Who was that man?
[Tabitha] Please don’t!
[Greenwood] I’m going to kill you!
[David] Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck!
Open the fucking door.
[Tabitha] Reginald, please don’t!
Open the fucking… No!
Aah! We were just talking!
[woman] Oh, my God. Is that David?
[man] David!
David, what are you doing?
[Tabitha] Reginald!
[Greenwood] Who was he?
[woman laughs]
Who’s he mounted this time?
[indistinct shouting]
[Greenwood] I’m going to kill you!
[Jane] Come on, let’s go.
[man] High drama!
[Jane] Come on, come on.
We can’t miss this. Come on.
[quiet chatter]
[panting heavily]
Pardon me, gentlemen.
[quiet, indistinct chatter continues]
Hello, boys. Spare another?
Um, I’m afraid not.
[sighing]
Who wants to dance?
Uh…
[indistinct chatter continues]
Shall we dance?
Music, please.
Ready?
Uno, dos, tres.
[band playing “Gopher Mambo”]
♪ Ha! ♪
♪ Ah! ♪
♪ Ooh! ♪
Who’s been fucking my wife?
[cocks gun]
♪ Ah ♪
I’m gonna shoot whoever’s been sleeping with my wife.
You’re going to run out of bullets.
[stifled laughter]
[laughter, whooping] [singer scatting] What sort of gun is that?
What difference does that make?
Mm, you are what you shoot.
[chuckles] That’s what my father used to say.
Looks like a Webley to me.
♪ Uh! ♪
Do you know, I would shoot him, too.
Hedda.
Well, I would.
♪ Hey! ♪
But… if you put this down now, all will be forgotten and forgiven.
Isn’t that right, Brack?
♪ Ah ♪
[singer scatting]
No crime has been committed yet… yet.
[whooping]
[scatting continues] You!
[gasping]
[gun fires]
[shudders]
[guests gasping]
[music stops]
[panting]
[panicked murmuring, gasping]
[creaking]
[man] No.
[screaming]
[gasping, murmuring]
Jesus, these people.
Just finished the building work.
First day back, and they’re dead set on destroying the place.
[Joan] Such a nice house, too.
This house as nice as yours?
No, but I think my folk have a bit more money.
If they have any money, they’ve got more than these two.
[“Gopher Mambo” resumes]
This house is headed straight back to the bank.
Maybe this is their last hurrah before they shut half of it down and let the tours come through.
Tours? Through your own house?
Open to the public.
All part of the deal, apparently.
They get a grant to do the renovations, they do the upkeep, they get to keep it for very, very little.
Well, little for their lot, not for us.
Practically in ruins before they came along.
Don’t make much sense to me, but the mistress was desperate for it, apparently.
She can’t even fill the servants’ quarters.
These girls are all hired for the night.
I’m the only staff they’ve got, and they got me from his aunt.
Now, she’s a nice lady.
Spoils her nephew Tesman, though.
Do you know, I’ve got a son just like him.
Obsessed with books.
Now he’s teaching.
Never been happier, not like Tesman.
The more he gets, the more he wants.
And now he’s gone and got married.
Poor fucker. [laughs]
[“Gopher Mambo” continues, singer vocalizing]
[song ends] [cheering and applause]
[Eileen] I’ve been looking for you.
Hedda Gabler.
That was quite the spectacle.
Satisfied?
[Hedda sighs]
What?
Just want to look at you.
[sighs]
Eileen.
Why did you make me drink, Hedda?
I wanted to talk to you.
Why didn’t you just?
You weren’t being yourself.
I’ve changed. That’s all.
[scoffs] People don’t change.
Apparently.
Do you think that you… you and I, if I’d said yes…
You never would have.
A coward at heart.
Yes.
But do you think that…
I’ve tried not to think about you, Hedda.
If I could have, things would have been different?
I would’ve, could’ve been your partner in all of this.
No.
Could’ve done what you said.
Build something with you, could’ve been…
Happy.
Yes.
I used to think I could never be happy.
I thought… being miserable was what I deserved.
What I was owed for a vile life.
[chuckles softly]
[chuckles] I’ve since learned that I’m not that way at all.
But you, you can never be happy.
I think you were right about that.
I can.
But not like this.
Not like this.
You have everything.
I have nothing.
You feel nothing.
I love you.
[somber music playing]
We were mad together.
I would have been dead, by your hand or mine, if I’d stayed.
Why did you come here?
To make sure I didn’t love you.
And?
I don’t.
Thea left her life for me.
She made me better.
She showed me how to be brave.
I love her.
I had to make sure I had all of myself to give.
You have it all worked out, then.
Don’t be cross.
I’m not.
You should go to her.
But…
Your buts have sharp edges.
But first, finish what you started.
[groans] Go into the library.
Talk to your colleagues.
No.
You’ve played with the girls.
Now go and be with the boys.
I’m too drunk.
You’re fine.
Come. Come here.
All right.
[quiet, tense music playing]
[grunts softly]
Perfect.
Go.
You’re really not upset?
[Eileen sighs]
[chuckles softly]
[shuddering breaths]
[lively chatter]
[George stammering drunkenly]
Eileen.
Shh.
Anybody want anything?
I’ll have an old-fashioned.
[man] Same for me.
Three gin martinis. Got it.
[laughter]
[drink pouring]
What’s with that girl?
What girl?
Thea.
We worked on the book together.
Is that all?
No.
Is she your muse?
“Muse.” [scoffs] “Muse” is a man’s word.
[Brack scoffs]
For women they learn from, occasionally steal from and don’t wish to credit but absolutely want to fuck.
[laughter]
Or, I suppose, are fucking.
[chuckles]
Is that in the dictionary?
Merriam-Webster’s.
[man] Is it in your book?
[man 2] What else is in your book?
How did you come up with it?
Hmm?
[Eileen] Well…
I knew I had to write this book after a quite elucidating conversation with a young man at a bar.
I went with a friend of mine.
You might have met her here… Diana.
Mm.
And it was late, just before closing, and we thought, “Oh, why not?
Just one more.”
She likes a tableau, a bit of a show, so we go to Cissy’s.
[laughter]
[man] That den of iniquity?
Oh, don’t be such prudes.
We go in, grab a seat at the bar, I light a cigarette, Diana gets her whiskey, and we have a nice chat with the men tending.
And there were two of them.
Tall, good. Weak chins, bad.
But typical of their type.
And what type is that?
The forgotten bastard children of lords.
[laughter]
We have a bit of a flirt.
Obviously with me, it’s not going anywhere, and after a while, they started to bore us, so we retired to a table.
Get to the fucking, Eileen.
[laughter, murmurs of agreement]
[Eileen] So, then… we are sitting there…
…Diana is complaining about her dull husband Richard, who is dull and vile, and I’m listening as much as one who’s already decided not to waste one’s days trying to please a man can.
And then my weak-chinned bartender comes over, slides into the booth next to me, and he says, “Hello.
I think you’re beautiful.
Can I smell your feet?”
[light laughter, murmuring]
[Brack] What did you say?
[Eileen] I said, “Whatever for?”
[Brack] Uh-huh.
[Eileen] And then he says, “It’s my thing. I like it.
Don’t be shy.”
His thing?
[Brack] Did you let him?
Of course not, you gang of perverts.
[laughter]
I told him I preferred my sexual encounters to be mutual and in private.
[light laughter, murmuring]
That was sexual?
[Eileen] That’s what I realized.
Maybe all people have a thing that they like, that is different, that is new, maybe.
And as some past hidden things have become normalized, I wonder, why shouldn’t hidden things in the now become normal in the future?
So we’ll all be smelling feet and having a toss in ten years’ time.
[laughter]
[Eileen] Who knows what you get up to, Judge Brack?
I’m sure it’s going to be far more scandalous.
[chuckling]
[man] So, what are some of these new things?
[Eileen] You’ll have to buy the book.
Or come to one of my lectures at the university.
I promise I’ll give all of your wives a copy of the book for free.
[laughter]
[lively chatter and laughter, band playing in distance]
Do you resent fun, you miserable creature?
If you wish to leave, leave.
There’s no use waiting on her like a handmaid.
This is going too far.
I’m worried.
Oh, don’t do that.
Worrying will make you ugly.
I won’t leave without her.
All right. Then go in and tell her to put down her glass.
[Hedda sighs]
Is it her you love… or the book?
[Hedda chuckles softly]
I hope you choke.
[footsteps receding]
[tense percussive music playing]
[chuckles softly]
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
It hasn’t been decided yet.
[scoffs] And if I do get it, there are many, many universities that would have you.
I’m certain of it.
I need the money, Eileen.
I’m married.
To Hedda Gabler, yeah.
You do need the money.
Hedda Tesman.
I keep forgetting.
Ah.
Where is your wife anyway?
Never known her to miss the company of rowdy men.
Well, you don’t know her very well, then, do you?
[George clears throat]
I have known Hedda Gabler since she was a child parading around with her father on their prize horses.
The general and Hedda.
They’d go galloping past my house every Sunday.
She’d be in that black riding outfit… you know the one… with the feather…
Mm. The feather, yes.
The feather. Mmhmm.
With the feather in her hat.
My mother… sour old cow… she would lean over to me, and she’d say, “Look at that bastard making a show of herself.”
Eileen, Eileen, Eileen, Eileen.
No.
What else should we do with the evening, boys?
The night is still young.
I am very, very thirsty. [laughs] Ooh.
[thudding]
[men murmuring]
I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.
What? You want another story?
If you get your kit off.
[laughter]
Read us something from your new book.
Or your old one. I’m not fussed.
[man] Slag.
[men gasping, shouting]
[George] All right, enough.
Enough, enough, enough, enough, enough.
You cunt!
Wh-What did you just say?
What did you just say?!
[Eileen panting]
Calm down.
You’re making a fool of yourself.
Who cares?
I’ll still get the job.
I’ll have everything I want, and you’ll just have Hedda Gabler running around doing whatever and whomever she pleases.
Hedda Tesman loves me.
Hedda Gabler doesn’t love anyone but herself, and Hedda Tesman doesn’t exist.
Did you enjoy that?
How can you restrain a woman like that?
How can you hold her?
With rope.
Tesman, you’re a lucky man.
She’s a prize, to be sure, but she’s not a horse.
She cannot be broken in.
Sometimes I feel I could just take a riding crop to her.
She might enjoy it.
[gasps softly]
It’s another thing from my book.
Oh, your fucking book.
Oh! [laughs] I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse before, Mr. Tesman.
[Eileen laughing]
Can I read it?
Okay.
Where’s my bag?
[lively percussive music playing]
Where’s my bag?
[grunts]
[Eileen muttering]
[quiet chatter]
[lively chatter and laughter]
[band playing upbeat music]
[indistinct conversation]
[Jane] Eileen!
[drink clatters]
[David] Well, what a way to make an entrance, eh?
Here, darling.
[Jane] Thank you.
[Eileen] Where is it?
Um, what?
Were you reading it again?
[laughing] I don’t…
The book, you imbecile!
[Jane screams] Where is it?
[David gasping]
[Jane] Eileen! Stop it!
[David] I don’t know what you’re talking about!
[George stammering] Get off of me!
[gasps] Are you crazy?
You need to stop it! That’s enough!
Eileen, you…
What are you doing?
[grunting, stammering]
Let go of her!
Get… get off!
[Jane yells]
[David gasps]
[David panting]
Oh, God. Oh, God.
I am so sorry.
Are you all right?
But for God’s sake, what are you doing?
Where is it?
What?!
The manuscript!
Eileen, I have no idea what you’re talking about.
You filthy bitch.
I know you’ve taken it.
[scoffs] Yes, ofof course I have, yes, and-and then sold it off to the highest fucking bidder.
[scoffs loudly] We’re not leaving the house until it’s found.
[man] Uh, excuse me. Excuse me.
Uh, if we could all please help, um… if we could all help look for Dr. Lovborg’s manuscript.
Oh, oh, oh, oh!
Okay, okay. Oh, yes, yes, yes.
Oh, I felt that one, yep.
Okay. Okay.
Uh, let’s just find the fucking manuscript.
Let’s do it. Yep.
[Jane] Let’s just find the bloody thing. [stammers] It’s just all this bad feeling.
It’s just… it’s too much sometimes, you know?
Th-That’s not the manuscript, darling.
That’s not the manuscript.
[snorting]
[coughing]
Come on, have some. Yeah.
What… wh-what are we looking for again?
I have absolutely no idea.
[laughter]
[whooping, laughter]
[retching]
[lively percussive music playing]
[George] Uh… uh…
Could be…
Uh, ch-check under the seats.
It could be…
[panting]
Anything?
[breathing heavily] What about…
[Eileen grunting]
Eileen? Oh.
Oh!
Look here. Another page.
Oh, there’s another.
I don’t understand, uh…
Oh, the wind.
It must…
The manuscript, it must have, uh…
Oh.
Oh, Eileen.
[somber music playing]
Oh, I’m so sorry.
No, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, don’t.
Eileen, stop. Eileen, Eileen.
[Eileen shouting frantically]
Eileen, you’ve had far too much to drink.
[screams] Oh, no!
Eileen, Eileen.
Oh, no.
Eileen, it’s gone.
Eileen, it’s gone. It’s gone.
Oh, no. No!
[Brack] Leave her.
Oh, no.
Oh. Oh, no.
Oh, no.
[sobbing, breathing heavily]
♪ ♪
[breathing heavily]
[door opens, knocking]
Close the door.
[Eileen] Thea.
I’ve been looking for you everywhere.
Don’t look at me like that.
I know what I’m doing.
I’m going to put an end to her reign of…
I just need some… some weapon to use against that woman.
Well… you can’t kill her.
I’ve tried.
[Thea chuckles]
I mean something, something…
[sighs] incriminating.
You know, some…
What’s happened?
You should pretend you never met me.
Don’t you wish it sometimes?
[sighs]
I can’t do that.
You know that I can’t.
Well, you have to.
No.
I’ve lost it… Thea.
What?
The manuscript.
I’ve lost it.
No. No.
It must be somewhere.
I have looked everywhere.
No.
Everywhere.
No, no. No, no. It must…
It must be where…
It’s lost. It’s gone.
It’s at the bottom of the lake.
The lake?
Eileen.
No matter what I do, you’re always going to be on this path.
[voice trembling] It’s too hard.
Why are you like this?
Do you love me?
Only as much as you love me.
Can that be enough for you?
No, Eileen.
It can’t.
You don’t mean that.
Thea.
You’re asking for more than I can give.
Oh, Thea.
More than anybody has the right to ask for.
Please. Thea, please.
You…
Please.
You do what you want.
It doesn’t involve me anymore.
[crying] Thea!
Please.
I mean it.
Fine.
Go.
I don’t need you.
Go on.
Fucking pathetic housewife.
Oh.
Well, there’s the old Eileen… miserable and deluded, right where you’re happy.
You use me, and then you fuck off to…
I never needed you.
[Thea laughing] You…
You were a mess.
[Eileen] You use me so you can feel like your life means something.
[Thea] I know what I am.
Your life means… nothing.
I’m going to find my book.
And it will be published with my name on the cover right next to yours.
[Eileen’s breath trembling]
[Thea] And then none of this will even have mattered.
♪ ♪
[fire rumbling and crackling]
[door creaks open] [chatter in distance]
[door closes]
I’m so sorry, Eileen.
I didn’t see it anywhere.
You aren’t sorry at all.
This is exactly what you wanted.
I wanted you to be true to yourself.
To have courage.
Like this?
No.
Thea left me.
Why did you push me?
You were lost.
You needed to have strength in who you are.
I have none left for this life.
All of my colleagues have seen me make a fool of myself.
The one person who mattered to me is gone.
I can’t ride out another disgrace, Hedda.
I can’t.
Doing whatever you want and… being whomever you choose has its limits.
And its consequences.
You’ll land on your feet.
Where do you find your power, Hedda?
Where?
Of course, I already know.
But for me, everything I am, everything I have, is because I am fucking brilliant.
[chuckles]
Because I can… I can write, and I can think, and because I convinced those dick-swinging troglodytes that they had to listen to me.
This book… it would have been undeniable.
Unignorable.
Even after this… mess.
I would have been protected from their ridicule because… oh, I’d be right.
And now I’m alone, and I am nothing.
[Eileen chuckles]
[chuckling, crying] Now…
I am just a woman.
Where will you go from here?
I’ll make an end of it as quickly as possible.
Do what needs doing.
Wait.
Wait here.
[door opens and closes]
[heavy, shuddering breaths]
[somber music playing]
[sobbing]
♪ ♪
[Hedda] Eileen.
I want you to have this.
You should have used it then.
You can use it now.
Goodbye…
…Hedda Gabler.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
[clock ticking]
[distant chatter]
[gun cocks]
[trembling breaths]
[grunts, breath trembles]
[shuddering breaths]
[inhales deeply]
[exhales]
Eileen?
Eileen.
[quiet, tense music playing]
[door rattling]
[knocking at door]
[George] Hedda.
Hedda, are you in there?
[knocking]
Hedda.
What a mess.
We-we-we… we have to find the manuscript.
I just saw Eileen. She’s a wreck.
[George gasps]
What are you doing?
No.
Hedda?
Here, some of it can still be saved.
Why save it?
Hedda.
That’s her life’s work.
What about your life?
Mine?
Hedda.
Are you out of your mind?
N-N-No. W-W-Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
You can save some of them.
If that’s what you really want, George.
But if she finds it, she will get your job.
[Brack] Mrs. Ellison.
Heading out?
I’m just looking for the manuscript.
I think all hope is lost for that.
Do you think so?
Yes, we’ve searched everywhere.
[muffled, indistinct chatter]
[tense music playing]
What has got into you? What have you…
I did this for your sake, George.
Me?
I wanted you out of that woman’s shadow.
I couldn’t bear the idea of you living that way.
No, no, you just wanted money.
You wanted…
I wanted you to have what you wanted.
I wanted you to be happy.
Happy.
To be strong.
Really?
And… we needed this.
By “we,” I mean…
[Hedda breathing heavily]
Is it true?
Really?
Yes, but please don’t fuss.
George, look at me.
Oh, I am looking at you, Hedda.
No one must know.
You love me…
…Hedda Tesman.
[George] Do… do that thing.
Do that thing with your mouth.
No.
Hedda.
You do it.
[Hedda moaning]
[sighs]
[breathing heavily]
[somber music playing]
[birds chirping]
[lively chatter in distance]
[indistinct chatter]
Hope you’re in a better mood.
Come on. Wait.
Don’t be like that. [laughs]
[Jane] Oh, David, leave her be, for God’s sake.
[David] You’re not even gonna apologize?
[gun fires]
[Eileen gasps]
[muffled, indistinct chatter]
[tense, atmospheric music playing]
[muffled, frantic chatter]
[somber music playing]
[muffled, frantic chatter continues]
[Thea] Eileen. Eileen!
[man] Check her pulse or something.
Eileen. Eileen.
[heavy, panicked breathing]
What’s happened? What happened?!
[frantic, indistinct chatter]
Call an ambulance.
[muffled] We need to call an ambulance.
[distorted, echoing shouting]
Hedda! Now!
[breathing heavily]
[Thea] Jesus.
Oh, my God.
[crying] I didn’t mean it.
I didn’t mean it.
Please.
Oh, Jesus. [whimpers]
[quiet, somber music playing]
[Detective Smith] Thank you, sir.
And did you see the gun at any point after that?
[George] Uh, no.
Uh, no, no, no one has seen it since.
[muffled] Hedda…
Tesman.
Is that right?
This is your husband’s home.
So, could you tell us the events of the evening…
[voice fades]
[door closes]
[breathing deeply]
[clock hands click]
[clock chiming]
[muffled chatter outside]
Chronologically or in sections?
I think sections, because it’s scattered and…
Excellent. I-I’ve used that technique.
Is everything all right?
I mean, besides the obvious.
What are you talking about?
We’re going to reconstruct the book.
Are you?
[Thea] We think we can have it ready in time for the next term.
If she dies, you’ll have all the money.
If this isn’t completed in time, Dr. Lovborg will have nothing.
If she lives.
If you don’t focus on your own research, Tesman…
We will move in to a smaller house.
Um, now, these sections, I think…
Can I be of any use?
[both] No.
Excuse me. Um…
[quiet, tense music playing]
[sighs]
♪ ♪
[breathing heavily]
[groans softly]
[rattling]
[gasping breaths]
[clicking] Ooh.
[sniffs]
Are you worried about something, Mrs. Tesman?
It’s all very worrisome, isn’t it?
[Brack] Mm.
How was Eileen when you saw her last?
You found yourselves alone last night, didn’t you?
In the midst of all the madness.
For a moment.
In the bedroom?
For a moment.
Have they asked you about the gun?
What gun?
The one at the center of all this.
The one that Eileen shot herself with.
It’s nowhere to be found, apparently.
Professor Greenwood thinks it’s his ’cause he lost track of it last night.
I’m sure they’ll want to speak to him soon.
They’ll want to see you next.
Ah. And what will I say?
Roland, don’t tease me.
Two guns were fired last night.
One was Professor Greenwood’s, and the other is yours.
Is that what you’ll say?
I’ll say I have the gun that shot Eileen Lovborg.
Have you?
Yes.
And whose is it?
I think you know.
But what will you say?
Well… that depends.
On my whimsicality.
It was a good idea, Hedda.
Sloppily executed, but…
I never thought she’d do it here.
I thought she’d find somewhere beautiful.
[Hedda scoffs softly]
Oh, my dear.
[Hedda taking sharp, gasping breaths]
Just imagine the scandal when they find out the gun belonged to the great General Gabler.
That his pretty little bastard gave it to a lesbian who tried to kill someone in the house our little Hedda can’t afford.
[tense music with sharp vocal exhalations playing] What will they think?
The thought hadn’t crossed my mind.
Fortunately, there’s no danger of that.
[Hedda chuckles]
As long as I say nothing.
Don’t resist me.
No. No.
No!
[breathing heavily] No.
People usually get used to the inevitable, Hedda.
[sighs] Stop it.
Okay? That’s enough.
[gun clicks empty]
[Brack grunting] Hedda!
[heavy, gasping breaths]
[Brack grunts angrily]
[tense percussive music with sharp vocal exhalations playing]
[phone ringing]
[Hedda grunts]
[Brack panting, grunting]
How dare you, after everything I’ve done for you.
I own you.
I control this.
[George in distance] Hedda! Hedda!
[Hedda gasping]
[Brack panting]
[woman in distance] Hedda!
Hedda!
[grunting]
[heavy, ragged breathing]
[George in distance] Hedda!
Hedda!
[woman] Hedda!
Where is she?
[wind howling]
[gasping breaths]
[grunts]
[panting]
[tense percussive music playing]
[George] Hedda!
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
[George, closer] Hedda! Hedda!
Hedda, it’s Eileen!
She’s woken up! Hedda, she’s…
[music building to crescendo]
[music crescendos, then stops]
[♪ Roxy Music sings “Love Is the Drug”]
♪ ‘Tain’t no big thing ♪
♪ to wait for the bell to ring ♪
♪ ‘Tain’t no big thing ♪
♪ The toll of the bell ♪
♪ Aggravated, spare for days ♪
♪ I troll downtown, the redlight place ♪
♪ Jump up, bubble up, what’s in store? ♪
♪ Love is the drug, and I need to score ♪
♪ Showing out, showing out, hit and run ♪
♪ Boy meets girl where the beat goes on ♪
♪ Stitched up tight, can’t shake free ♪
♪ Love is the drug, got a hook on me ♪
♪ Oh, catch that buzz ♪
♪ Love is the drug I’m thinking of ♪
♪ Oh, can’t you see? ♪
♪ Love is the drug for me ♪
♪ Oh, ohoh ♪
♪ Oh, ohoh ♪
♪ Love is, love is ♪
♪ Love is the drug ♪
[song ends]
[♪ Mariam Wallentin sings “Stolen Tale”]
♪ An empty stolen tale ♪
♪ I’d give to you ♪
♪ A bride without veil ♪
♪ is who you’re promised to ♪
♪ To ♪
♪ To ♪
♪ A bride without veil ♪
♪ is who you’re promised to ♪
♪ Roses, like weeds, they grow ♪
♪ Their thorns wake my mind ♪
♪ to your scent, your touch ♪
♪ What’s hers, I want mine ♪
♪ My mind ♪
♪ I hold on to things ♪
♪ I know you’ll never say ♪
[song ends]
