Hamnet (2025)

Directed by

Chloé Zhao

Genre

drama film, period drama film, biographical film

Country

United Kingdom, United States

Runtime

2h 05m

Rated

PG-13

Rating

7.7 of 10 from 1,449 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

The film follows William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they grieve the loss of their 11 year old son Hamnet. It focuses on their family life and the emotional weight of their tragedy.

melancholicintimateslow-burnemotionally rawvisually lushgroundedmournfulquietly devastating

What happens

Hamnet is a 2025 historical drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O'Farrell, based on the 2020 novel by O'Farrell. The film dramatises the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes Hathaway as they cope with the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet. It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William, alongside Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and Jacobi Jupe in supporting roles. Hamnet had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on 29 August 2025 and received a limited theatrical release by Focus Features in the United States and Canada on 26 November. It received a wide theatrical release on 5 December and was released by Universal Pictures in the United Kingdom on 9 January 2026. Critical reception was positive, with Buckley's performance receiving particular praise. The film received numerous accolades, including winning the Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Buckley at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, and eight nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zhao, with Buckley winning the Academy Award for Best Actress. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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