Hamnet (2025) | Film Review

Hamnet (2025) | Film Review

Hamnet is not the story of William Shakespeare nor is it the story of Hamlet but instead the story of a family. Hamnet is a heartfelt, tender tale of love and loss. A soft, scenic look behind the curtain of renowned artist, William Shakespeare. This film is a keyhole look into the creation of Hamlet, a glimpse into the heartbreaking reason we were given one of the greatest plays of all time. 

Based off the fictional novel by Maggie O'Farrell, Hamnet is brought to screen with Chloe Zhao’s visionary tone. Chloe is able to harness pure emotion and pure beauty, bringing a purity to the frame through the lens of motherhood. Hamnet is connected to Shakespeare and he immortalised the name but this film is about motherhood - it takes a step away from his famous name and moves the focus to the real heartbeat of film, Agnes. 

Paul Mescal performs a beautiful, spine chilling interpretation of Shakespeare, a version of the artist with vulnerability but once this film ends and you wipe away your tears the real takeaway is Jessie Buckley. Everyone in this film delivers realism, commitment and memorability but Buckley lives the role. She lovingly portrays Agnes with raw and unapologetically maternal energy. Buckley is a powerhouse, the core of this film’s beating heart, she is the fuel on the fire, the catalyst, the chaos and the beauty in every fame. 

Watching Hamnet in a full screen at London Film Festival meant I was able to feel the emotion of the room. The room was sobbing, the room was somber and the room was clouded by the weight of this films message: the devastating impact of grief. Hamnet experiments with how grief can pull people apart and how art can serve as a way to process and transform loss. Chloe Zhao’s approach to this film was soft, she kept the frame minimal, the costumes muted and the soundtrack ethereal - all to magnify the unforgettable performances. 

Hamnet may not be a film you can return to time and time again but it is a film that will replay on your mind. A film and story that will not leave you, a performance that will make you smile and make you cry.

Probe Points

★★★★