Review of "Hamnet" at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival

      Hamnet, 2025.

      Directed by Chloe Zhao.

      Starring Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson, Jacobi Jupe, and Noah Jupe.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A poignant tale of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s enduring masterpiece, Hamlet.

      Shakespeare’s works are celebrated globally, and his personal life has been explored on screen before, most notably in Shakespeare in Love. Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet narrates a lesser-known story: the loss of William Shakespeare's son Hamnet, which profoundly impacted Hamlet. O’Farrell collaborates with Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) to bring her novel to the screen, expected to be a standout film during awards season.

      Like the novel, the film largely presents events from Agnes’ perspective, following her early interactions with Shakespeare when he is a Latin Tutor repaying his father's debts. Their courtship, frowned upon by society, soon leads to the start of their family. While the novel features non-linear timelines, the film adopts a more straightforward narrative while preserving the reflective qualities of the book and emphasizing Agnes’ rural and somewhat wild nature, which she hopes to impart to her children.

      Jessie Buckley delivers a remarkable performance as Agnes, radiating warmth in the early scenes until tragedy befalls her. She masterfully depicts Agnes’ transformation and is captivating on screen. Although the novel offers a more introspective analysis of both Agnes and Will’s sorrow, the film translates this heartbreakingly, likely leaving few viewers unaffected. It’s an emotional experience, yet it feels well-earned. Paul Mescal, known for immersing himself in emotionally charged roles, is a perfect counterpart as Shakespeare, portrayed primarily before he became the celebrated figure remembered in literature and theater.

      Chloe Zhao previously captured stunning landscapes in the American West in films like The Rider and Nomadland. Here, Stratford and its surrounding countryside are vividly realized. Cinematographer Łukasz Żal (Cold War, Zone of Interest) creates enchanting visuals that are crucial to O’Farrell’s narrative and enhance the adaptation. Max Richter’s score has received widespread acclaim, and apart from a carefully chosen existing track, it enriches the film’s emotional depth.

      Hamnet features Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal at their finest, supported by Emily Watson as Shakespeare’s formidable mother and Joe Alwyn as Agnes’ brother Bartholomew. The story’s focus on family dynamics places significant emotional demands on the young cast, who deliver outstanding performances. With only minor adjustments made to the source material, Hamnet stands as an exceptional adaptation by Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell, poised to be a commercial success and a strong contender during awards season.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

      Chris Connor