“Mesmerizing” period drama with stacked British cast lands new UK streaming home

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A new streaming service in the UK now features All Is True, a historical drama directed by Kenneth Branagh and boasting a talented cast. The 2018 film tells the story of playwright William Shakespeare as he navigates life after the loss of his son, Hamnet.

Kenneth Branagh plays William Shakespeare in the film, alongside Judi Dench as his wife, Anne Hathaway, depicting their complicated marriage. Ian McKellen portrays the Earl of Southampton, a key supporter of Shakespeare. Lydia Wilson plays Shakespeare’s daughter, Susanna, and Kathryn Wilder stars as her twin sister, Judith.

Written by Ben Elton, All Is True is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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The movie was well-received by critics when it came out, achieving a 73% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 142 reviews. Reviewers particularly liked how the film presented a relatable and human side to the famous playwright, with Rolling Stone calling it a captivating look at Shakespeare’s final days.

According to the review, director and actor Kenneth Branagh avoids portraying Shakespeare as a larger-than-life icon, instead focusing on the vulnerable and relatable human being behind the works.

I recently checked out All Is True, and Empire described it as a really thoughtful, slow-burn movie about Shakespeare in his later years. It’s not packed with action or drama, but it has this sad, reflective vibe that totally makes sense considering it’s about an older guy looking back on his life. It’s more about regret and coming to terms with things than anything else.

The New York Times praised the collaboration between Branagh and Elton John, calling their work a touching story about loss, regret, and a brilliant, yet melancholic, talent.

Both Slate and Variety strongly criticized the film. Slate called it a chaotic and disorganized story, while Variety said it failed to connect with viewers and was a misguided attempt at a reimagining.

The review called the film a disappointing mess. It was filled with too many references to Shakespeare for general audiences and didn’t accurately portray the real person it was about.

Chloé Zhao’s new film, Hamnet, explores the relationship between Shakespeare and his son. Jessie Buckley plays Agnes, and Paul Mescal stars as the poet himself.

This movie is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, which she also adapted into the screenplay with director Zhao. It tells the story of Agnes and William, and how they cope with the loss of their son and the difficulties it creates in their relationship.

All Is True is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Hamnet releases in cinemas on 9 January 2026.

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2025-12-11 20:21