Story perspectives

Haley Bennett Stars in Woolf Biopic, Disguises as Man

6/3/2026

36 4

Summary

Bennett Disguises

The film “Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day,” directed by Tina Gharavi and written by Justine Waddell, opens in UK and Ireland 19 June 2026.
Haley Bennett plays Katharine Hilbery, who disguises herself as a man to attend Astronomical Society lectures in Edwardian London.
Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders and Lily Allen appear in supporting roles.
Critics applaud Bennett’s performance and the star-research scenes, but call the screenplay talky and overstuffed for a 95-minute film.

Summary

Bennett Challenges Exclusion

Director Tina Gharavi frames the film as a critique of Edwardian scientific exclusion.
A cartoonish visual effect replaces Katharine’s muted voice to symbolize forced suppression of women’s anger.
The characters watch Halley’s Comet while Bennett’s awed expression links the comet’s brilliance to her name.
Critics say contemporary choices such as a perky soundtrack and rapid editing clash with the period tone and may alienate audiences.

Summary

Woolf Adaptation Launches

The film adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s 1919 novel “Night and Day” opened the second edition of the SXSW London multimedia festival.
Woolf herself was not a great admirer of “Night and Day,” which has long been considered her most underexposed book.
Analysts predict the movie may attract a larger audience on international streaming platforms than in cinemas.

1 of 3

Bennett Disguises

The film “Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day,” directed by Tina Gharavi and written by Justine Waddell, opens in UK and Ireland 19 June 2026.
Haley Bennett plays Katharine Hilbery, who disguises herself as a man to attend Astronomical Society lectures in Edwardian London.
Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders and Lily Allen appear in supporting roles.
Critics applaud Bennett’s performance and the star-research scenes, but call the screenplay talky and overstuffed for a 95-minute film.

1 / 3