Hamnet review: Jessie Buckley is superb in this masterly study of loss

by

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

It’s easy to think of ‘Hamnet’ as simply a film about Shakespeare’s grief, but that doesn’t fully capture the depth of Chloé Zhao’s beautiful exploration of loss. Shakespeare featured prominently in the 1998 film ‘Shakespeare in Love,’ which won an Oscar, but that movie was a playful, made-up story about how ‘Romeo and Juliet’ came to be. ‘Hamnet,’ however, feels deeply real and focuses on a private, emotional family story, a world away from that film’s glamorous romance.

Paul Mescal portrays William Shakespeare, though he’s only ever called by his full name once throughout the film. He quickly becomes enamored with Agnes (Jesse Buckley), a wild and independent woman deeply connected to the countryside. Will’s mother, Mary (Emily Watson), believes Agnes might be the daughter of a witch. Agnes’s brother, Bartholomew (Joe Alwyn), disapproves of Will, dismissing the young, hopeful playwright as an out-of-touch intellectual and questioning his worth.

Despite challenges, Will and Agnes’s love remains strong, and they have three children, including a sweet boy named Hamnet. They live a quiet life in the countryside, away from London, though Will later gets a job making gloves for the theatre. Director Zhao beautifully captures the joys and difficulties of life during this period, using her camera to connect with the natural world around them.

This film, based on a novel by Maggie O’Farrell (who also wrote the screenplay with Zhao), offers a fictional look into the personal life of William Shakespeare. It portrays him as a young man struggling to balance his family responsibilities with his growing passion for the theater and the artistic community in London. In a moment of youthful impulsiveness, he exclaims, “There are people waiting for me in London,” a statement he quickly comes to regret.

The play beautifully captures the rustic landscapes around Stratford-Upon-Avon, showing a community deeply connected to the land. Life in the 16th century is portrayed realistically, with both its beauty and its harsh realities – illness is frequent and life is precarious. When a devastating tragedy strikes, the family is overwhelmed with grief, nearly falling apart. However, from this pain, something remarkable emerges: the inspiration for Shakespeare’s most powerful work, finding solace and meaning through artistic expression.

This film doesn’t announce it’s about Shakespeare; instead, it subtly weaves in references to his work. For example, there’s a sweet scene showing his children playfully acting out scenes from Macbeth. Later, the rehearsals with the actors are surprisingly gritty and realistic, with Paul Mescal’s character intensely delivering each line.

The film’s third act focuses on the creation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, a process that feels especially powerful considering the difficult events that came before. This is where the movie reaches its most emotionally intense point, with Mescal and especially Buckley delivering heartbreaking performances. Buckley, in particular, gives a career-defining portrayal of a woman utterly devastated by loss.

Powerful scenes, like a tense argument at the kitchen table while Agnes does everyday chores, highlight the film’s exploration of big themes – life, art, and the pain of loss. The ending, centered around a stage performance, is particularly memorable, making this subtle but deeply moving film incredibly impactful. As Hamlet famously said, “The play’s the thing,” and Zhao and Farrell brilliantly capture that idea. This film is a true masterpiece and is expected to be a strong contender for awards next year.

Want to see this content?

We can’t display this content because of a security check from Google reCAPTCHA. If you’re signed in to Contentpass, please sign out to see it.

Hamnet is released in UK cinemas on Friday 9th January 2025.

Authors

James Mottram

James Mottram is a London-based film critic, journalist, and author.

Read More

2026-01-05 16:35