Prepare to be thrilled, as Hammer Films announces the eagerly awaited theatrical release of Doctor Jekyll, produced by B Good Picture Company, exclusively in UK cinemas starting from October 27, 2023. Directed by Joe Stephenson, known for his work in “Chicken” and “McKellen: Playing The Part,” this reimagining of the classic tale promises to send shivers down your spine.
The film boasts an impressive cast, featuring the charismatic Eddie Izzard, Scott Chambers, Lindsay Duncan, and Simon Callow. Doctor Jekyll marks a significant milestone as the first release for the recently revitalized Hammer Films, following its acquisition by theatre and entertainment mogul John Gore.
To celebrate this cinematic resurrection, Doctor Jekyll will make its grand entrance with a red-carpet premiere at London’s iconic Odeon Leicester Square on October 11. Additionally, horror enthusiasts can catch the film’s initial cut, which was showcased at FrightFest London 2023, solidifying its place in the horror genre’s elite.
A contemporary take on Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless novella, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Doctor Jekyll introduces Eddie Izzard as Dr. Nina Jekyll, a reclusive figure who forms an unlikely bond with her newly appointed help, Rob, portrayed by emerging actor Scott Chambers of “Chicken” fame. Together, they must confront the malevolent Hyde, whose destructive intentions threaten to unravel Nina’s life. The screenplay, penned by Dan Kelly-Mulhern, promises a fresh perspective on this classic narrative.
With Doctor Jekyll, Hammer Films embarks on a new chapter in its storied history, dating back to its establishment in 1934. John Gore’s vision for the company, driven by his lifelong passion for all things Hammer, signals the dawn of a series of new films bearing the iconic Hammer name, and Doctor Jekyll serves as just the beginning. Gore remarked, “Given Doctor Jekyll was the first Gothic Horror book, it is very appropriate that Joe Stephenson’s thrilling new film should be the first of a new generation of Hammer movies.”
Doctor Jekyll unfolds within an isolated mansion, rife with chilling atmospheres, a locked room concealing secrets, eerie corridors, a dusty cellar, and a mad doctor’s ominous presence. Hammer horror returns with this contemporary interpretation of Stevenson’s 1886 novella, where ex-convict Rob unwittingly becomes part of an insidious plan devised by Nina Jekyll’s alter ego, Rachel Hyde. As the story unfolds, it poses the tantalizing question: To what lengths will Rob go to satisfy his client’s peculiar desires and his own ambitions, including a daughter he’s never even seen?
Prepare for a strange journey when Doctor Jekyll graces UK cinemas on October 27, 2023. This modern twist on a classic tale promises to leave you breathless and longing for more.
