Leave it to Chloe Zhao to reach into your soul and shatter it, only to put it back together again. “Hamnet” is a beautiful, devastating journey through grief, loss and catharsis told with a different lens of a classic tale. It puts the tragedy back into “The Tragedy of Hamlet” and adds entirely new layers of resonance and emotional power to the famed play. I’ve been a Shakespeare fan for most of my life, “Hamlet” being one of my favorites and one I have most of the soliloquies committed to memory. Hell, I saw 3 different versions of the story at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in addition to “Hamnet,” and Zhao’s unique perspective shift, retelling of its creation and catalyst stands tall among them. It is easily one of the best films of the year, a true emotional experience that will leave you sobbing uncontrollably but somehow hopeful for new horizons beyond the tragedies that shape us.
Adapted from the novel by Maggie O’Farrell of the same name (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Zhao) “Hamnet” follows the relationship between Anges (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and the impact after the unexpected, tragic death of their young son. Their grief both together and apart serves as the inspiration for “Hamlet,” and it will stand the test of time as a beacon of love and remembrance for him. Zhao’s soft touch digs deep into the core of family and loss and love, extracting a deep well of heart and waterworks sure to melt anyone who bares witness. It is the best use of natural light I’ve seen on screen probably ever. Able to feel alive with etherial beauty even in candlelight, filling the frame with luscious greens and countryside stillness. Łukasz Żal’s cinematography brilliantly captures day and night and not only transports us to the late 16th century, but wholly immerses us in it.
This is a simply stunning, true movie magic experience that stirs the soul and overwhelms you with profound examinations of universal emotions. It is almost impossible not to be moved, especially by the film’s last 30-40 minutes as we watch Agnes discover the new play her husband wrote is about her lost son. This film will leave you thinking about “Hamlet” in ways you never thought possible. Buckley is absolutely transcendent, a flawless performance from a woman who simply does not miss. She communicates so much with nothing but a look, and some of the most effective moments come from simply watching Buckley watching a play we’ve seen a thousand times. Her magnificent performance makes us feel as if we’re watching “Hamlet” for the first time, something I genuinely did not believe I would experience.
Mescal is quite good as well, though he is a victim of being off in London writing plays about his own grief and loss. It does meander a bit in its first act, keeping everything at arms length, its narrative wrapped in restrained poetry in motion. It sounds crude, but once the son dies (not a spoiler, it’s literally the crux of the entire film and part of the logline) the film itself comes alive. In addition to Buckley, it’s the Jupe brothers that tap into the heartfelt aching of film’s tone. Jacobi Jupe plays the young version of Hamnet while Noah Jupe plays Hamlet in the stage performance at the globe theater – a stunning recreation to scale by the way – and both are phenomenal. They are tasked with embodying some of the most emotionally resonant moments in the film and both boys are more than up to the task.
2025 has been a year for child performers, and “Hamnet” somehow manages to snag two of the top spots for best and moving of the year.
Films like this are always difficult to really capture with words. It’s a film with so little flaws and even if you can site some (which would be valid) its final act is so stirring and unassailable you easily forget whatever small gripes you may have and it becomes something you should experience rather than read about. Films that I love are typically the harder to write about because on the one hand I try to stay the aggressive hyperbole and on the other struggle to come up with as many different wants to say the same thing: It is a near masterpiece, a beautiful portrait of loss and grief and love and art gorgeously framed with intimate natural light and deep emotion. It’s one of the best films of the year.
It’s a must see, a film that is sure to leave you in a puddle and unfreeze even the most frozen heart. Movies don’t get more emotional or better than “Hamnet,” and you should run not walk to your nearest theater to experience it for yourself.
Don’t just bring tissues. Bring the box. Trust me, you’re gonna need all of them. Be brave!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Hamnet” is in select theaters November 26th and releases wide December 12th. You can watch the trailer below.
