In a gripping and emotional adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 successful historical fiction novel “Hamnet,” director Chloe Zhao brings to life the untold story of William Shakespeare’s family and his son whose own tragedy inspired his renowned play, “Hamlet”.
The film premiered in August at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival and has since been nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress following Jessie Buckley’s riveting performance as Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife. Through restrained dialogue and expressive physical acting, she conveys the complex emotions of a mother facing unimaginable loss, a portrayal that has drawn widespread praise.
Buckley’s Agnes, embodies the struggle and raw emotion of motherhood as she cares for her three children during the era of the bubonic plague. The film follows Agnes as she builds a life with William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) in Stratford-upon-Avon and raises their children while he works in London, a separation that leaves her at the center of the family’s devastating loss.
Beyond its historical setting, the film explores themes of grief, family and memory. Zhao focuses half of the film on the emotional aftermath of loss, showing how tragedy reshapes Agnes and her family. In doing so, the story subtly echoes the themes of sorrow and reflection that later appear in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.
In terms of cinematography, Zhao’s direction emphasizes atmosphere and emotion through quiet, visually striking scenes of the English countryside. The film’s more muted coloring and lingering shots create a somber tone that mirrors the uncertainty of life during the plague and highlights the intimate moments within her children and husband.
While the film closely follows the emotional root of the book, Zhao’s adaptation condenses parts of the story and relies more heavily on visual storytelling than narration, creating a slightly different experience compared to the novel.
As someone who has both read and watched “Hamnet,” I would say that the movie lacked some of the gripping descriptions the book provided. I was left in a state of shock after finishing the novel, and although I still felt the emotional impact from the movie, some of the book’s powerful lines were missing, replaced instead with visual storytelling.
Overall, for audiences who appreciate emotionally driven storytelling, “Hamnet” delivers a moving adaptation that captures the same depth and heartbreak that made the novel so powerful.
“Hamnet”
2 hours, 5 minutes
Rated PG-13 for thematic content, some strong sexuality and partial nudity
Directed by Chloe Zhao
Starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal
