In this heartbreaking yet beautiful production, Shauna Young reflects on the depiction of love, life and loss through the eyes of William Shakespeare and his family.
Warning for those who have not seen or previously read Hamnet, this review is not spoiler free.
Chloe Zhao’s screen adaptation of Hamnet, a novel written by author Maggie O’Farrell, has already set the bar for film in 2026. While book-to-screen adaptations are often hit or miss, Hamnet lands right in the bullseye. The film hit all the adored points of the novel, while expanding and bringing emotion and intimacy to the story. Hamnet tells the story of young William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, documenting their family struggles, Shakespeare’s desperation to make something of himself, and the tragic loss of their son.
Starring Jessie Buckley as Agnes, and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, this powerhouse Irish duo leaves everyone stunned with their raw, emotional performances. Hamnet explores the impact that the death of a son had on Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, Hamlet. Portraying something so profoundly devastating, there has to be tens across the board for this film. From costumes, to set, to camerawork, music, lighting and sound, I find it near impossible to fault this production.
Comparing the stories of Hamnet and Hamlet, unalike in motive but similar in emotion, truly highlights the connection between narratives. Jessie Buckley stuns in her portrayal of Agnes. Her ability to step into character aided in delivering the most devastating and gut-wrenching performance that film has seen in some time. She set her own identity aside in this role, granting Agnes the chance to truly perform. Over the course of the film we endure her rage, her happiness, and her ability to love and protect those she cares about.
Paul Mescal similarly shows a side never before seen in his previous roles. The presence of an unloving father in this formative period profoundly influenced Shakespeare’s life and work. Mescal portrays this inner turmoil so flawlessly, while simultaneously allowing us to understand that where he cannot find love in some places, he finds an abundance in others. He is deeply flawed and at times career-obsessed, following the narrative of tortured artist expertly. This provides an immense amount of depth that can be applied across the timeline of the film in a multitude of ways. Delving into desolation and despair for the role, Mescal not only walks in these shoes, but sprints in them.
Delving into desolation and despair for a role, Mescal not only walks in these shoes but sprints in them.
The casting director, Nina Gold, deserves a round of applause for her incredible choices in this film. The ingenious and heart-wrenching casting of two brothers, Jacobi Jupe (Hamnet) and Noah Jupe (Hamlet), captures the despair felt by Agnes and Will, seeing the face of their son in this young boy simply stepping into a role in a play. It is often difficult to see past the actor and engage solely with the character, however the performances from every single cast member has given these personalities the spotlight they deserve.
Zhao’s directorial choices stand strong and worthy of endless praise. There is a level of understanding in the story that continues to be a consistent point of note for the duration of the film. A standout contextual moment is the inclusion of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice as told by William. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, it is a Greek tragedy of love and loss which has inspired thousands of pieces, a story of a man who loved his wife so much that he followed her into the underworld following her death. Orpheus is permitted to leave the underworld with Eurydice under one condition; he walks in front, she walks behind, and if he looks back, she will be bound to the underworld for all time. As Orpehus looks back upon crossing the gate of the underworld, he loses Eurydice forever.
This scene stays with the viewer for the duration of the film, constantly in the back of one’s mind. Most notable, Agnes’ pleas of ‘look at me’, exemplify the need for her to know that William loves her so much that he would seek her out in any circumstance. We are shown this narrative again in Hamnet’s final scene. The moment where a boy looks back and maintains eye contact with his mother for the final time, lends itself to Agnes’ acceptance that she is bound to a world without her son. This not only links the two tragedies together but also serves as a devastating reminder that love persists in every ending.
It is often difficult to see past the actor and engage solely with the character, however the performances from every single cast member has given these personalities the spotlight they deserve.
This film is one that will linger on the mind’s of its viewers for quite some time. It is a devastating but beautiful depiction of love, loss and life. The work that went into this production makes it a stand-out film. It is deserving of all the praise it may receive.