What if Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy was born from his own unbearable loss? Hamnet, a 2025 film directed by Chloé Zhao, dares to explore this haunting question. While Shakespeare’s plays have immortalized his genius, the man himself remains shrouded in mystery. This biographical drama, inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel, attempts to fill that void, weaving a poignant narrative around the death of Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son, Hamnet, and its potential influence on Hamlet. But here’s where it gets controversial: how much creative license is too much when reimagining history? And this is the part most people miss—the film’s emotional core lies not in Shakespeare’s genius, but in the raw, devastating grief of his wife, Agnes Hathaway, portrayed with breathtaking intensity by Jessie Buckley.
Opening in 1582, the film introduces us to a young William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and the captivating Agnes (Buckley), whose forbidden love affair leads to an out-of-wedlock pregnancy and eventual marriage. Their family grows with the birth of Susanna, followed by twins Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) and Judith in 1585. The film’s early vignettes depict Shakespeare’s rising fame juxtaposed against Agnes’s steadfast management of their household. When Hamnet succumbs to the plague at age 11, the family’s world shatters, and the seeds of Hamlet begin to sprout.
While the film’s first half struggles with uneven pacing and a few misfired magical realism sequences—a metaphorical dying figure lost in an empty space feels more at home in literature than on screen—its final act is nothing short of masterful. The Globe Theatre scenes, meticulously staged, transport us to Elizabethan England, offering a rare glimpse into how Hamlet might have captivated its original audience. Noah Jupe’s performance as Hamlet, alongside Buckley’s largely non-verbal yet profoundly moving portrayal of Agnes, forms the film’s emotional crescendo. This is Zhao’s directorial prowess at its finest, and Buckley’s Oscar-worthy performance is undeniable.
Yet, Hamnet is not without its quirks. Shakespeare scholars may nitpick historical inaccuracies, but the film never claims to be a documentary. Instead, it embraces the spirit of 1990s arthouse dramas, appealing to viewers with a general appreciation for Shakespeare rather than academic expertise. The Hamlet excerpts are thoughtfully chosen for thematic resonance, though they don’t replace a full staging. This raises an intriguing question: how might a newcomer interpret these scenes without prior knowledge of the play?
Hamnet feels like a throwback to the mid-budget literary dramas of the late 20th century, a genre that has sadly become a rarity. It’s a better fit for Zhao than her blockbuster endeavors like Eternals, allowing her to focus on intimate storytelling and emotional depth. Despite its early stumbles, the film gathers momentum, rewarding patient viewers with a poignant and satisfying conclusion.
But let’s spark some debate: Does artistic interpretation justify bending historical facts? And does the film’s focus on Agnes’s grief overshadow Shakespeare’s creative process? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this thought-provoking and emotionally charged film.
