31 Days of Halloween - Day 16 - Movie

The BBC miniseries, Jekyll (2007) doubles as a modern update of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and also as a sequel. If you're familiar with the original tale, then you know to expect something involving a scientist who divides his time, and his body, with a frightening, darker personality. Beyond that, I'm not going to say more. Jekyll is best enjoyed not knowing more than this.

Jekyll was written by Steven Moffat before he took control of Doctor Who and before he also updated Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock. His writing here is just as intricate, clever, and character driven as his later work. The acting is also stellar here. James Nesbitt does an excellent job in the dual role with very minimal physical alteration between the characters, yet making them clearly distinct and each one complex and fully realized. A testament to the rest of the cast (which features a high percentage of actors who will be familiar to fans of Doctor Who) is that Nesbitt's exceptional performance doesn't dominate any of the others.

This is an excellent production, and is the standout winner in terms of what I've watched so far this month. I highly recommend this.