My Cousin Rachel

Set in 19th century England, a young man Philip (Sam Claflin) receives a letter from his cousin, Ambrose, who in great anguish informs him that he has discovered a bad side to his new wife Rachel (Rachel Weisz).She is slowly killing him for his fortune. In great earnest Philip vows to confront her, and avenge his cousin’s murder. However, things are not as simple as they first appear...

Rachel is hardly the ‘torment’ described by his cousin, and tells of how his cousin’s brain tumour made him confused and ever more paranoid at the end. Is she just a victim of circumstance, rather than a cold-blooded murderer? Things become even more complicated and confusing as he finds himself increasingly falling under her charms…

Based on Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel – part mystery, part horror, part romance –, and directed by Roger Mitchell (Notting Hill; Morning Glory; Enduring Love), this adaptation has little difficulty maintaining the mystery and the tension to the end. Rachel Weisz is simply captivating, and Iain Glen (Jora Mormont from Game of Thrones) delivers his usual gravitas (and his mellifluous tones) to the film.