I Loved Hamnet For Many Reasons, But The Way It Explores Art Is One Of My Favorites. Let’s Talk About It.

by

It’s not often I see a movie and think it’s a true masterpiece, but that’s exactly how I felt after watching Hamnet. I’ve been meaning to read the book for years, and when I learned Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley were starring, I knew I had to see the film.

I’m a big fan of Paul Mescal and think he’s a truly gifted actor, and I also find Jessie Buckley captivating to watch. That’s why I was so eager to see Hamnet at the Chicago International Film Festival. I wasn’t prepared for how deeply the film would affect me, or for its thoughtful exploration of life and art.

Warning: Hamnet spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Can’t Stop Thinking About How Hamnet Explores Art As A Way Of Atonement

Hamnet is a profoundly moving story about loss and grief. It’s a deeply emotional film that draws you into the Shakespeares’ experience, making you feel Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and Will (Paul Mescal)’s sorrow as if it were your own. Though you know from the start that Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) will die, his death still feels incredibly heartbreaking.

As a movie lover, I think the film really works because of Buckley’s performance. She makes Agnes’s grief so real – I genuinely felt her pain, and I found myself really angry at William. It felt like he prioritized his work over his family, especially when he came back after Hamnet died. The way Buckley portrays Agnes’s anger is incredible; it’s a raw, venomous rage that makes you worry if the family will ever heal from this tragedy.

Then comes Hamlet. William Shakespeare channeled all of his sadness, regrets, and pain into this play. It was a way for him to make amends for his failings as a father and husband – to apologize to Agnes and Hamnet for not being present when they needed him most. The play’s final scenes are deeply moving, conveying both intense heartache and eventual healing. You witness William seeking forgiveness through the play, and Agnes’s acceptance of his apology.

It was a more moving, beautiful, and heartfelt experience than many of the most celebrated romantic films. Leaving the theater, I felt a powerful sadness, but ultimately, a sense of healing. The character Will truly earns his redemption.

I Love How The Film Takes The Romantic Approach Of Saying Hamlet Is A Way To Immortalize Hamnet

I often find Edmund Spenser’s poem, “Amoretti LXXV: One Day I Wrote her Name,” incredibly touching because of its beautiful idea of making love eternal through writing. That’s why I was so pleased to see this theme explored in Hamnet. While we may never know how accurate the movie is to real events, it’s a lovely thought that Shakespeare wrote Hamlet as a tribute to his son.

It’s incredibly moving to see how eager Hamnet is to connect with his father, and it’s truly beautiful how he’s become a character for the ages. I think Shakespeare gave his son the greatest gift possible: immortality. Every time the play is performed, Hamnet lives on, and no one can ever forget him. It’s no wonder it’s one of Shakespeare’s most beloved works – it feels like a story that constantly finds new life, ensuring Hamnet will be reborn again and again, for all time.

The Film Really Moved Me By Saying How Art Can Be An Act Of Grief

As a movie lover, one of the things I really appreciated about Hamnet was how it let Will not only try to make amends, but also truly feel his grief. He definitely comes across as distant and cold after losing his son, almost like he throws himself into his work to avoid dealing with the pain, which understandably creates tension with Agnes. It’s heartbreaking to watch their relationship strain. But then, there’s this incredible moment where Agnes realizes what he’s been going through, seeing his sorrow reflected in his work on stage. And finally, we get to see William physically break down – it’s a powerful, cathartic release that’s been building throughout the film.

Many works of art explore grief effectively, but Hamnet is truly immersive. It’s a film that deeply impacts your emotions, and those are the most powerful and transformative kinds of movies. While I’ve seen films that strongly move audiences, very few have taken me on such a complete journey through sorrow and, ultimately, toward healing—all within the film’s duration.

Everyone grieves differently, and while movies often depict loss, it’s challenging to truly connect an audience with that emotional journey. I initially felt hesitant about this film, but it took me through all the stages of grief and ultimately left me amazed, much like experiencing a powerful play. That’s what makes this movie so impactful – it demonstrates art’s ability to shift your feelings, encourage deep thought, and allow you to feel both sadness and beauty simultaneously.

I Didn’t Know Much About The History Of Hamlet, But Now I Want To Reread It And Learn More

I’ve read many of Shakespeare’s tragedies, but Hamlet has never really appealed to me. I prefer Macbeth, and Othello is a close second. I recently thought it might be time to revisit Hamlet, as I only read it once in high school. I’ve read Othello and Macbeth multiple times, which could explain why I enjoy those plays more. Perhaps the story of Hamlet simply doesn’t connect with me as much.

Now that I’m imagining the play is about his son, I’m curious if I’ll like it even more. I might even look for a performance nearby. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me what really inspired the play, because Hamnet feels true to me now. I’m eager to see how the story portrays Agnes and William’s son.

I Think Hamnet Kind Of Dissects The Idea Of The Genius, Larger Than Life Artist, And Makes William Shakespeare Feel Real And Human

Let me tell you, Hamnet isn’t just Shakespeare’s story; it’s Agnes’s, and Chloe Zhao treats her with incredible sensitivity. It’s no surprise the film works so well, given how vividly Maggie O’Farrell brings Agnes to life in the novel. But I honestly believe Zhao, as a gifted female director, brought a unique and crucial perspective to portraying this character – a perspective I suspect a male director simply couldn’t have captured with the same depth and nuance.

This film centers on Agnes, but her husband, William, is a well-developed and important character. We’re used to thinking of Shakespeare as a monumental figure, a genius. But the movie portrays him as simply ‘Will’ – a flawed, relatable man. While we intellectually know Shakespeare was human, his legacy has turned him into something almost legendary. This story effectively reminds us of his humanity.

Every influential person, no matter how impressive, is ultimately just a regular human being. It seems obvious, but it really struck me as a profound realization.

Hamnet was one of the 2025 movies that I couldn’t wait to watch, and it didn’t disappoint.

Read More

2025-12-07 00:13