Writer/Director: Chloe Zhao
Starring: Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley and Emily Watson
‘A Mesmerizing Masterpiece’
Few authors in English literature have written stories about which readers commonly care like William Shakespeare. An iconic poet in every single way, Shakespeare penned celebrated literature that’s beloved today. On a personal level, I find stories penned by the legendary author to be relatable. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a school teacher that loved seeing Shakespeare’s words on a page. His face would light up with a bright smile when he had chances to discuss his favourite playwright. In love with Shakespeare, he loved to prepare class lectures about a poet about whom he has grown to care. I will never forget the first time that he taught my class about Romeo & Juliet which was his favourite play by the poet. It was always a pleasure to spend time with a professor that adored Shakespeare’s literature. Unlike ordinary people, he was an inspirational professor with a love for poetry that was special. Nothing in the world seemed to tarnish his love for an English poet he would cherish. He was excited by the prospect of passing on his passions for poetry to his son that he loved dearly. However, death caused him to lose his love for Shakespeare’s literature. His love for Shakespeare went astray when his son passed away. A result of illness, his son’s death led him to lose interest in a poet that once contributed to his happiness. Unfortunately, his dreams of teaching his son poetry never materialized into reality. Consumed by regret, he no longer adored Hamlet. Questioning to be or not to be, he lost his interest in poetry. As his interest in Shakespeare deteriorated, our relationship ended. It broke my heart to drift apart from a professor that gave me love for art. Years later, I honour literature that’s a reminder of my teacher.
As someone treasuring a professor admiring every Shakespeare sonnet, I loved “Hamnet”. Released in 2025, Chloe Zhao’s movie celebrated Shakespeare’s legacy. Packed with bold production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s a powerful period piece. At the centre of it all is Paul Mescal, who embodies a poet facing downfall. Ultimately, what makes “Hamnet” a masterpiece is appeal. Viewers don’t need to be Shakespeare fans to appreciate it. A mesmerizing masterpiece, there are many reasons why “Hamnet” is worth watching.
“Hamnet” tells the story of how the legendary poet wrote his most beloved play Hamlet. Paul Mescal portrays William Shakespeare, a legendary poet that writes commemorated plays with care. The playwright pursues a romantic relationship with Agnes (Jessie Buckley), a woman that he loves dearly. However, Shakespeare’s lifelong love for poetry is threatened when he loses his child in a heartbreaking tragedy. Facing despair, Shakespeare questions whether its possible pursuing poetry about which he once came to care.
Chloe Zhao has always been fascinated with the themes of loss. Her Oscar-winning film “Nomadland” offered a powerful portrait of grief-stricken nomads seeking to survive on a desolate land. With “Hamnet”, however, Zhao has created her first Shakespeare period piece. It’s the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the personal tragedy faced by a legendary poet, but she succeeds deftly. Evoking John Madden’s “Shakespeare in Love”, Zhao effectively uses natural lighting to capture the romantic relationships that Shakespeare is facing. For instance, natural lighting elevates the poetry discussion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Shakespeare and Agnes begin their romance by discussing their love for poetry in the forest. It reminded me of my strong bond with a professor that adored poetic literature. Natural lighting is a tricky technique. As Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun” suggested, natural lighting elevates films about fatherhood. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Zhao captures hardships poets are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Hamnet” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive Shakespeare film that you will ever see. Evoking Kenneth Branagh’s “Hamlet”, Zhao effectively uses practical sets to capture the enduring appeal of Shakespeare’s poetry. Throughout the movie, the Globe Theatre is a practical set that emphasizes the appeal of Shakespeare’s legendary poetry. For instance, the Globe Theatre elevate the stage performance scene. During this unforgettable scene, Shakespeare mounts a theatrical stage production of Hamlet for his wife to witness. It brought back memories of a professor that adored Shakespeare’s poetry shaping his identity. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Max Richter’s music contributes to the film’s success. It gives the movie haunting atmosphere honouring the legacy of Shakespeare. Through phenomenal production, Zhao honours a poet deserving recognition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Hamnet” is a Shakespeare film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the emotions of grief that poets are facing. Evoking Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet”, Zhao effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture a poet experiencing regret. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the child death scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Shakespeare grieves the death of his son that causes him to lose interest in poetry. It reminded me of the way that my professor lost his interest in Shakespeare when his son tragically passed away. Through dramatic monologues, Zhao creates a portrait of a poet that audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” demonstrated, dramatic monologues elevate commemorated historical epics. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Zhao honours a poet that is commemorated today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Paul Mescal delivers one of the best performances of his career as William Shakespeare. Mescal earned appreciation for playing romantic heartthrobs in television shows. With “Hamnet”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary poet in history but Mescal succeeds tremendously. Evoking Ben Whishaw in Jane Campion’s “Bright Star”, Mescal embodies a poet that falls in love in doomed romance with a star. With riveting expressions, he embodies the angst, passion and rebellious nature of a poet that seeks to stage productions. It’s a phenomenal performance that honours the legacy of a legendary writer.
Jessie Buckley is brilliant as a grief-stricken woman that struggles to cope with the loss of her child causing adversity. While Mescal gets the showier role, Buckley pours her soul into a woman that faces a heavy emotional toll. Evoking Mary Tyler Moore in Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People”, Buckley embodies a woman struggling to face death of her child that’s painful. Whether she’s grieving the loss of her child causing despair or discussing her love for poetry with Shakespeare, Buckley uses her body language to capture the burden that poetic women bear. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actresses working today.
Finally, “Hamnet” would earn appreciation of everyone for celebrating a legendary English poet. Evoking Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society”, the film honours the art of poetry. It discusses poignant themes such as ambition, marriage and grief which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Shakespeare’s literature to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Hamnet” is one of those rare Shakespeare films everyone would adore.
Fans of Shakespeare will definitely appreciate “Hamnet” and so will movie-goers seeking poetic entertainment. A mesmerizing poetic masterpiece, it honours a legendary writer that’s iconic.
A spectacular tribute towards Shakespeare, it’s an extraordinary reminder of a commemorated poet that never lost his passion for telling rare stories about which readers care even when he faced devastating personal setbacks in his life causing despair.
As strong as Shakespeare’s love for poetry, it has inspired me to move on several years after parting ways with a commemorated professor that lost interest in literature after losing his precious son in a tragedy by cherishing positive memories of an inspirational teacher that encouraged me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 