Romantic mystery based on Daphne du Maurier's novel, starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin. When Philip's cousin dies before his time, he blames the death on the man's wife, Rachel. But meeting the enigmatic widow complicates Philip's quest for revenge and, as he becomes drawn into her seduction, Philip begins to question whether Rachel's true motive is to win back her late husband's estate.
Rachel Weisz's titular widow remains inscrutable behind her dark veil in this gothic melodrama based on a Daphne du Maurier novel. Sam Claflin is dashing and dynamic as the young gent who inherits a country pile from his cousin, suspecting he may have been murdered by his Italian wife, Rachel. As soon as the lady wafts into the house, he becomes smitten. But is her affection genuine or is she only seducing him to gain control of the estate? Weisz is suitably enigmatic in her role, and the onus is on Claflin to keep us engaged despite his character's staggering naivety. Holliday Grainger brings gentle warmth as the sensitive yet steadfast girl that our lovestruck hero should be courting, while Iain Glen is a reliably solid presence as her father and executor of the estate. If Roger Michell's film doesn't quite spark and smoulder as it should, Claflin's brooding performance at least helps to draw you into the mystery.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Rachel Ashley | Rachel Weisz |
| Philip D Ashley / Ambrose Ashley | Sam Claflin |
| Louise Kendall | Holliday Grainger |
| Nick Kendall | Iain Glen |
| Enrico Rainaldi | Pierfrancesco Favino |
| Couch | Simon Russell Beale |
| Mrs Pascoe | Vicki Pepperdine |
| Mary Pascoe | Poppy Lee Friar |
| Belinda Pascoe | Katherine Pearce |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Roger Michell |
