To be or not to be? There’s no question the ’emotionally manipulative’ Hamnet deserves to win the 2026 Oscar for best picture

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To be or not to be? It probably shouldn’t be a question.

This year’s Oscars season has seen a strange reaction to Chloé Zhao’s film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s popular novel, Hamnet. Despite the movie having a lot of potential, some critics and commentators have surprisingly turned against it.

The movie focuses on a sad, often overlooked part of William Shakespeare’s life: the death of his son, Hamnet. Similar to the novel by O’Farrell, the story is told mainly through the eyes of Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, and her experience with the loss.

Jessie Buckley delivers a powerful and deeply emotional performance as Agnes, a soulful and unconventional woman. The story shows a young Shakespeare (played with sensitivity by Paul Mescal) being drawn to her before he finds fame as a writer in London.

The story unfolds mainly in the charming countryside of Stratford-Upon-Avon, where we witness the growth of the Shakespeare family after Agnes and William marry. They have three children and enjoy a peaceful life as William’s career in London starts to flourish.

Hamnet is a deeply affecting story about loss and the strength of art, and it’s further proof of the film industry’s faith in director Zhao, following the widespread acclaim and awards for her film Nomadland. It’s encouraging to see a female, non-white filmmaker recognized by the Academy so soon after her previous success. While progress is being made to break barriers in the film industry, these gains can be fragile, and it’s important to celebrate each step forward.

Beyond the film’s potential success, Jessie Buckley deserves recognition as one of our most talented actors. She consistently delivers authentic and moving performances in diverse roles, and is currently a strong contender to win Best Actress. However, while her performance is exceptional, the film as a whole is a beautifully delicate and affecting experience.

While a Shakespeare-related historical drama winning Best Picture wouldn’t be entirely surprising, ‘Hamnet’ stands out because of its focus on women – in its story, how it’s made, the acting, and overall style. However, the fact that Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Jacobi Jupe weren’t nominated is a major disappointment, limiting the film’s chances at awards. It’s unfortunately common for films centered on women to be overlooked, and it feels particularly unfair here given the incredible talent involved.

I’ve seen some criticism of ‘Hamnet,’ with people calling it a predictable awards-season film. But what really seems to bother a lot of viewers is the feeling that the director, Zhao, is trying too hard to pull at your heartstrings – that it feels manipulative rather than genuinely moving. It’s a shame, because I think it has real potential, but that’s the main concern I’ve noticed.

The play reaches its most powerful and moving moments when Agnes watches a performance of Hamlet, written by her husband. This is largely due to the brilliant performances by Buckley, Mescal, Jacobi, and Noah Jupe. Max Richter’s music, including his famous piece ‘On the Nature of Daylight,’ heightens the emotional impact of the scene even further.

Some viewers feel the film’s emotional impact isn’t justified, which I find surprising. How can a movie that genuinely moves audiences to tears be considered manipulative, particularly when it draws on the powerful emotions already present in Shakespeare’s original story?

Great movies aim to stir our feelings. They try to portray the complex parts of being human that are difficult to describe. Like the plays of Shakespeare, they can truly connect with and comfort those who are hurting.

To be or not to be? Here, there’s no question, Hamnet is well deserving of its flowers.

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Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and understanding what our audience wants. He’s a huge fan of TV and movies, especially anything with Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and the newest shows on HBO. With a background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising before spending three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community engagement, search engine optimization, and reporting on the entertainment industry, including showbiz, film, and television.

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2026-03-11 20:41