In William Shakespeare’s day, the names Hamlet and Hamnet were interchangeable. The newest film by Academy Award–winning director Chloé Zhao (NOMADLAND) uses that context as the basis for a tender exploration of Shakespeare’s domestic life, connecting a family tragedy to one of his most famous works. Maybe we can better understand Hamlet, Zhao suggests, if we consider that it was developed while the most famous writer in the Western canon was mourning the death of his 11-year-old son, Hamnet.
Based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell, HAMNET’s main character isn’t The Bard — played here by an impressive Paul Mescal — or even the child who gives the film its name. HAMNET belongs to Agnes, Shakespeare’s thoughtful wife, played by an enthralling Jessie Buckley, who bathes the film in her warmth. Many historical accounts preface reports of Hamnet’s death with statistics about how common child mortality was in the 16th century, as though it barely made an impact. HAMNET rejects that premise, presenting Shakespeare not as a distant, untouchable genius but as a real man whose literary prowess was irrevocably impacted by his domestic life. (Synopsis from the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival)
“When the credits on HAMNET rolled, all I could do was sit and stare. Zhao has achieved pure magic, and I’ll be marveling over it for the days to come. With an aching heart, lush visuals, and magnetic acting, HAMNET is undoubtedly one of the best movies of the year and will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.” —Rachel Labonte, Screen Rant “A great work of empathy…. Serves as a lovely reminder of why art is important, how watching something can make you feel, make you understand, make you consider.” —Dan Mecca, The Film Stage “It’s a towering work from Zhao…a film that is emotionally devastating but ultimately a cathartic look at how art can bring us together, unite us in unexpected ways, and heal us in ways we might have once thought impossible…. HAMNET captures the beautiful aching that makes up life in all its forms, and it makes for one of the most profound and staggering works you’ll see this year.” —Ross Bonaime, Collider “The picture reimagines the poetic act of creating Hamlet. Shakespeare’s play sits on the highest shelf, fixed by the dust from centuries of acclaim. It is about as unimpeachable as a work of art can be. And yet, here is a movie that dares to explore its inception. The attempt itself is noble, and maybe a little brazen; that it succeeds feels downright supernatural.” —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture
