Doctor Jekyll (2023)

31 Days Of Horror 13

Doctor Jekyll (2023)

Trailer

Hammer is back! Again.

(If the 2010-2019 run was Hammer Has Risen From The Grave, this must be Taste The Blood Of Hammer.)

And it’s a somewhat more auspicious return than Beyond The Rave, at least.

Classic Hammer tried a direct adaptation of Jekyll and Hyde but The Two Faces Of Dr. Jekyll wasn’t very close - The Ugly Duckling a year earlier was a comedy and the genderfuck Dr. Jekyll And Sister Hyde was played more seriously than the pun title suggests. (Amicus did a pretty close version with I, Monster starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in 1971.)

And this isn’t a close adaptation either, effectively a sequel instead.

Eddie Izzard plays Nina Jekyll, a reclusive big pharma billionaire in need of a home help, with Scott Chambers as Rob Stevenson (yes...) getting a chance, and quickly discovering some major downsides to the opportunity. Izzard plays a very controlled Jekyll and a more “this is why you cast Eddie Izzard” Hyde. Most of the scares come from LOUD NOISES and the score often provides them, but there’s a decent atmosphere and Izzard provides some fun.

Also amusing casting gag: a cameo as Henry Jekyll played by... Jonathan Hyde.

And it’s really more of a possession film. Hyde wants a new vessel.