The 2025 film “Hamnet,” directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, had a limited theatrical release in the United States and Canada on Nov. 26 and received its wide release on Dec. 5. So far, it has grossed $18 million at the box office.
The film stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes. The story follows the Shakespeares’ family life and the tragic death of their young son Hamnet, played by Jacobi Jupe. The death inspired the writing of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, “Hamlet.”
“Hamnet” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with a rating of 93 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The praise is well-deserved, as everybody involved did an excellent job in delivering a very well-made film. The visuals, especially the sets and costumes, truly immerse the viewer in 16th-century England. The striking cinematography and colors also make for a very pleasant viewing experience.
Jacob Antonio (11) says, “It looked really well-shot with good scenes and sets. [It also] seemed to capture the core of ‘Hamlet’ and the inspiration rather than just [being a] retelling.”
While the story felt a little slow at the beginning, especially with the emphasis on the early romance between William and Agnes, it soon grabs your attention, thanks in no small part to the talented actors who bring the story to life.
Paul Mescal did a great job playing William Shakespeare, portraying him as a devoted father who struggled to balance his family obligations with his passion for his craft. Additionally, Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare was the perfect foil to William, a bold and independent character who grounded her creative and idealistic husband to the real world of family.
Family is the film’s central focus, which is where it really shines. The cast beautifully acts out the realistic family dynamics and character relationships that make so much of the film feel raw and authentic.
“It connects the viewer to the story,” says Antonio. “It appeared to really emphasize the importance of family.”
To many, the name of William Shakespeare might bring to mind reading old plays in English class, but this film reminds us that he wasn’t just a figure for the history books; he was, above all, a human being, with passion and emotions.
Portraying him as a more relatable figure makes his work all the more impressive, as it is no longer the work of a long-dead, dusty figure, but of someone whom we feel we know.
Whether it’s the scene of him defying his strict father, writing late at night in flashes of inspiration or grieving at losing a son, one thing is constant: we can relate to him, because we see in him the same feelings and desires that everyone has. By bringing Shakespeare to life for a modern audience, the film brings his work to life, as we see the experiences that inspired his masterpiece.
“I do love how it touches onto the death of his son [and his] name and what it meant to him, especially the father-and-son dynamic,” says Mikhael Soto (12). “I love the look of it, the characters in themselves and how it describes Shakespeare and the road to making ‘Hamlet.’”
Soto is not alone in feeling this way — in addition to the critics’ high ratings, the film won the Golden Globe for Best Drama Motion Picture on Jan. 11, and Jessie Buckley also won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Motion Picture.
“It does deserve [the awards],” Soto says, “because even reminders now to this day about Shakespeare’s work are important, especially the lessons that we learn … It was well deserved.”
Overall, “Hamnet” is a well-crafted blend of interesting history and compelling drama that is sure to appeal to a wide audience.
