LADY FROM THE SEA review: This modern re-hash of Henrik Ibsen’s 19th century saga starring Andrew Lincoln, Alicia Vikander and Joe Alwyn fails to whip up a storm says PATRICK MARMION

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This new version of Henrik Ibsen’s classic Norwegian play, currently showing at London’s Bridge Theatre, didn’t quite live up to expectations.

The film features Andrew Lincoln, known for his role in Netflix’s *The Walking Dead*, Alicia Vikander, an Academy Award winner who starred in *The Danish Girl* and as Lara Croft in *Tomb Raider*, and Joe Alwyn, a popular actor previously known for his relationship with Taylor Swift.

Surprisingly, despite having three very charismatic and well-known actors, director and adapter Simon Stone portrays them as a surprisingly uniform group of self-indulgent people focused on wellness, lacking any clear sense of values or beliefs.

Instead, they are sweary, middle-class, wine-guzzling zombie citizens of nowhere.

Lincoln, known as Edward, is a somewhat world-weary neurosurgeon living in the beautiful Lake District, near Ullswater. He’s a dedicated runner, clocking ten miles daily (though he takes Sundays off), and also enjoys a glass of rosé wine – often simultaneously.

I’ve been following this story, and it’s incredibly complex. It seems after a devastating loss – his previous wife tragically took her own life, and the reasons remain a mystery – he found love again with Ellida, played by Vikander. But Ellida herself carries a lot of baggage; she was previously in a really damaging relationship with a man who’s now in prison – a former environmental activist, actually. It adds a whole layer of heartbreak and complexity to their story, doesn’t it?

As a long-time admirer, I’ve always been struck by Alicia Vikander’s incredible physicality – you can really see her ballet background in how she moves, all fluid limbs and graceful stretches, like she’s ready to leap onto any stage. But despite that captivating presence, there’s still a fascinating, almost elusive quality to her, and I find myself wanting to understand the depths of her character a little more.

Adding to the already uneven dynamic is Heath (Alwyn), Edward’s distant cousin, who is struggling with a devastating and fatal illness known as motor neuron disease (or ALS).

Surprisingly, this doesn’t evoke sympathy, but rather amusement from Edward’s headstrong teenage daughter, Hilda (Isobel Akuwudike). She becomes attracted to Heath precisely because he is seriously ill.

Alwyn is a talented actor who deserves more challenging parts. People might also notice his striking resemblance to Taylor Swift – he could easily be mistaken for her brother, if she had one with a more muscular build.

Edward’s close friend, Lyle (played by John Macmillan), is also a bit of a mess – he’s a brain surgeon who tells terrible dad jokes. I definitely wouldn’t trust him to operate on me.

I’ve noticed Edward’s other daughter, Asa, doesn’t seem very engaged, which is surprising. She’s incredibly bright – she’s at Yale working on her PhD – but she supports herself by creating adult content online. It’s a complicated situation, and honestly, a little heartbreaking to see someone so talented having to go that route.

It might seem provocative, but this is simply a playful attitude that covers up the show’s serious issues of sexual exploitation with exaggerated, theatrical behavior.

Stone’s playful jokes are amusing, and the show’s impressive sets – like a simulated rainstorm in Cumbria and a working swimming pool – keep our attention.

But at nearly three hours, it’s a long time to take nothing seriously.

Actor Andrew recently mentioned he’s happy some fans are still interested in seeing him nude in films, even at 50 years old. However, his teenage kids aren’t thrilled about the idea.

The actor, known for his role in The Walking Dead, has performed nude scenes in several of his projects. His latest role, in the new ITV thriller Coldwater – his first British television appearance in 15 years – includes a scene depicting masturbation.

Andrew revealed that his teenage children, 17-year-old Matilda and 15-year-old Arthur, are still not talking to him. This happened after he told them in advance about a recent movie role with adult content. He shares the children with his wife, Gael Anderson.

He recounted a conversation with Arthur to The Times, sharing that he asked Arthur how he would react if he masturbated on live television. Arthur reportedly responded by asking, ‘What do *you* think?’

He went on to explain that his children hadn’t spoken to him since he took the job. His son had simply asked, “Why couldn’t you have waited until I finished school?”

Andrew admitted he doesn’t like watching himself in movies or shows, so he relies on his wife, Gael, to do that for him. She’s already seen and approved of his latest, rather daring, part.

‘Look, I’m just thrilled that people are still asking me to get naked at 50.’

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2025-09-19 16:52