Daisy Ridley’s latest film wonders what Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” would be like if it was told from the perspective of Hamlet’s potential bride-to-be, Ophelia.
Claire McCarthy directs this somewhat gender-flipped version of “Hamlet” titled “Ophelia,” in which Ridley’s titular character takes the center stage. Semi Chellas adapted the play, and the film also stars Naomi Watts as Queen Gertrude, George MacKay as Prince Hamlet, Clive Owen as Claudius and Tom Felton as Laertes.
The perspective change isn’t the only reimagining of “Hamlet,” as the film is set in the 14th Century but is spoken in a contemporary voice, so not the traditional Shakespearean tongue.
“These are strange times in this castle. Be afraid,” Felton’s Laertes says to Ophelia. “You will only be safe if you are afraid.”
“Ophelia” first opened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and now opens in theaters June 28 from IFC Films followed by a digital and on demand release on July 3.
Below is the full synopsis. Watch the first trailer above:
Set in the 14th Century but spoken in a contemporary voice, “Ophelia” is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) takes center stage as Queen Gertrude’s (Naomi Watts) most trusted lady-in-waiting. Beautiful and intelligent, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet (George MacKay) and a forbidden love blossoms. As war brews, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore Castle apart from within and Ophelia must decide between her true love or her own life in order to protect a very dangerous secret.