Hamnet (2025)
Directed by Chloé Zhao
[Rated PG-13] 2hr 5min
★★★★½
Hamnet is a period drama about William Shakespeare’s family, centering around his wife Agnes and their son Hamnet. While trying to overcome the various struggles they face as a family, tragedy suddenly strikes and throws them into disarray as they attempt to come to terms with their situation in different ways.
This is an incredibly moving film that’s packed with raw emotion. Jesse Buckley’s phenomenal performance as Agnes makes it a visceral experience that showcases the entire range of emotions that humans are capable of experiencing. Paul Mescal and the child actors are also incredible in their roles as they create an authentic and believable family together. At its core, this is a very human story that highlights the significance of familial bonds and the importance of art in its ability to channel one’s grief to create something beautiful, which can then help others deal with their own grief as well.
I recommend Hamnet to anyone interested in a romantic tragedy that brilliantly portrays key aspects of the human experience. Overall, this is a beautifully constructed film with fantastic direction from Chloé Zhao, and it’s easily one of the most powerful movies of the year.
Hamnet is now playing in theaters. Click here to watch the Official Trailer.
– Review by Will Hopper