First trailer lands for Cynthia Erivo's "powerful" drama with The Gentlemen star

The movie adaptation of an acclaimed stage play starring Killing Eve's Jodie Comer has just released a first trailer, with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo taking over the role of protagonist Tessa.

Directed by Susanna White from a screenplay by Suzie Miller, who also penned the 2019 play, Prima Facie follows Tessa, a successful barrister who's made a career out of defending men accused of sexual assault. Tessa's attitude towards women reporting sexual crimes changes when she experiences one firsthand.

Erivo takes over the role from Comer, who won an Olivier and a Tony Award for her performance, with The Gentlemen star Daniel Ings playing Tessa's colleague Julian Brooks. Noma Dumezweni, Simon Russell Beale, Elizabeth Dulau, Toheeb Jimoh, and Harry Treadaway also star.

Related: UK film release dates

The trailer gives us a glimpse into Tessa's confident approach to her cases, setting up a jarring contrast with the sombre post-assault scenes.

As she speaks with the police and later attends the trial, Tessa finds herself put through the wringer, with her story highlighting how the justice system, of which she is a cog, can fail survivors of sexual assault.

Prima Facie has premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and will receive its European premiere at the BFI's London Film Festival on 13 October. The film has been described as "a powerful exploration of a woman’s fight for justice and the power dynamics at play in a patriarchal world" with a "captivating" performance from Erivo (via LFF).

At TIFF, Prima Facie earned mostly negative reviews, earning a scathing Rotten Tomatoes score of 25% from 12 reviews.

While critics unanimously praised Erivo's turn as Tessa as "shattering" (via Awards Watch) and "riveting" (via The Jam Report), some pointed out how Prima Facie "struggles to feel truthful, or engaging" (via Screen International).

First reviews have highlighted how the change in medium doesn't benefit the story, with The Guardian arguing: "Unlike Comer, Erivo has to share the space with other people and must perform in real time what was, on stage, only recollection. In doing so, much of the exciting punch of Prima Facie has been washed away."

IndieWire similarly pointed out that film's over-exposition as one of its main flaws, writing: "A film about the failures of a system that demands women prove their experiences. Unfortunately, it seems unable to trust either its protagonist or its audience without supplying proof, explanation, and justification at every turn."

Prima Facie will receive its European Premiere at this year's BFI London Film Festival.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).