The story of a young woman who, despite the best intentions, heedlessly meddles in people’s romantic affairs as she tries to play matchmaker. A film by Autumn de Wilde, starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Josh O’Connor, Callum Turner, Mia Goth, Miranda Hart, Rupert Graves, Gemma Whelan, Amber Anderson, Connor Swindells, and Bill Nighy.

After her longtime governess Miss Taylor (Gemma Whelan) marries Mr. Weston (Rupert Graves) and moves out, Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) finds herself in search of a new companion.

Emma sets her eyes on Harriet Smith (Mia Goth) as a potential new friend. However, she soon learns that Robert Martin (Connor Swindells), a friend of Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn) – her brother-in-law – has proposed marriage to Harriet. Emma becomes convinced that Robert isn’t suitable for Harriet, and believes that she can find a man who would be a perfect match for Harriet.

Emma hatches a plan to match Harriet with the village vicar, Mr. Elton (Josh O’Connor). Little does she know that Mr. Elton is a social climber, hoping to elevate his status through marriage. In a twist of irony, Mr. Elton misreads Emma’s kindness and attention as romantic interest in himself. Meanwhile, Emma subtly manipulates Harriet, convincing her to turn down Robert’s marriage proposal.

Frank Churchill (Callum Turner) is the son of Mr. Weston from his first marriage. After his mother passed away, Frank was raised by his aunt and uncle, the Churchills. Because their social standings are similar, many people anticipate that Frank will marry Emma. This expectation is especially strong among their families, despite Mr. Woodhouse’s (Bill Nighy) concerns about Frank. Mr. Woodhouse has held a grudge against Frank ever since he failed to attend his father’s wedding to Miss Taylor.

Directed by American photographer Autumn de Wilde in her directorial debut from a screenplay written by New Zealand novelist Eleanor Catton, EMMA is based on the renowned English author Jane Austen’s 1815 classic novel of the same name, which received critical acclaim and has since become one of Austen’s most beloved works.

The author is already known to the public by the two novels announced in her title page, and both, the last especially, attracted, with justice, an attention from the public far superior to what is granted to the ephemeral productions which supply the regular demand of watering- places and circulating libraries. They belong to a class of fictions which has arisen almost in our own times, and which draws the characters and incidents introduced more immediately from the current of ordinary life than was permitted by the former rules of the novel… Emma has even less story than either of the preceding novels… The author’s knowledge of the world, and the peculiar tact with which she presents characters that the reader cannot fail to recognize, reminds us something of the merits of the Flemish school of painting. The subjects are not often elegant, and certainly never grand: but they are finished up to nature, and with a precision which delights the reader. — Sir Walter Scott (1815)

Let me entreat you to read Emma – it is the very perfection of novel-writing – and I cannot praise it more highly than by saying it is often extremely like your own method of describing things – so much effect with so little effort! — Thomas Moore (1816)

The novel “Emma” was first adapted for television in 1948, with Judy Campbell both writing the screenplay and starring as Emma. The production was directed by Michael Barry. Since then, Austen’s beloved work has been reimagined numerous times across various media, including films, television series, radio dramas, and stage plays.

The 1995 film “Clueless,” starring Alicia Silverstone and directed by Amy Heckerling, is a modern reimagining of Austen’s “Emma.” This clever adaptation transplants the story to a 1990s Beverly Hills high school. Just a year later, in 1996, a more traditional adaptation hit the cinemas. This version of “Emma,” directed by Douglas McGrath, featured Gwyneth Paltrow in the titular role. Paltrow’s portrayal brought Austen’s meddling matchmaker to life in a period-accurate setting, offering audiences a more direct translation of the novel to film.

Autumn de Wilde’s version takes a fresh spin on the novel, featuring a stellar cast who deliver wonderful and hilarious performances, particularly Anya Taylor-Joy, Miranda Hart, and Bill Nighy. The artistic direction and Christopher Blauvelt’s cinematography are truly stunning in every scene. Moreover, the beautiful soundtrack by Isobel Waller-Bridge and David Schweitzer is just as impressive as the visuals.

It’s somewhat surprising that the actresses who played Emma Woodhouse in both the 1996 and 2020 film adaptations aren’t fully British. Gwyneth Paltrow, who starred in the 1996 version, is American. Anya Taylor-Joy, who leads the 2020 adaptation, has a diverse background. Her mother is of English and Spanish descent, while her father is Scottish-Argentine. Born in Miami, Taylor-Joy moved to London at the age of 6. Interestingly, she holds triple citizenship: American, British, and Argentine.

EMMA. was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2020, and in the United States on 21 February.