Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet Gets Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – Does Everyone Love It As Much As Critics?

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Chloé Zhao’s film, Hamnet, is finally being seen by audiences after receiving excellent reviews from critics for months. The movie, based on the novel by Maggie O’Farrell (who also helped write the script), tells a fictional story about William Shakespeare and his family. It centers on how they cope with the death of their son and how that loss inspired Shakespeare to write the play Hamlet.

I’m really excited about “Hamnet.” It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as a couple – the movie shows how they fall in love, have their three kids, and then tragically, their son Hamnet passes away. The story eventually leads to Agnes, the mother, going to see a performance of “Hamlet” at the Globe Theatre. What’s even cooler is that it’s directed by Chloé Zhao, who won an Oscar for directing “Nomadland,” which was also named Best Picture a few years back. This is her first film since “Eternals” came out in 2021.

The movie Hamnet initially received a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, though it has since settled to 88%. It’s widely considered one of the year’s best films, and now that it’s playing in select theaters and will be widely released on December 5th, audiences have shared their opinions. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Hamnet currently has a 91% audience score (Popcornmeter).

After winning the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hamnet is almost certain to be nominated for Best Picture in 2026 and is currently considered a strong contender to win. However, critically acclaimed films don’t always connect with general audiences, and Hamnet‘s slow pace and sad mood could be a challenge for wider appeal.

Even before the film came out, Maggie O’Farrell’s novel Hamnet was very successful, and audiences are responding positively to the movie too. The story’s relatable themes of love and grief, combined with its connection to the famous play Hamlet and the rich history surrounding it, make for a captivating premise. Plus, acclaimed actors Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are delivering particularly strong performances.

I truly believe Buckley is the frontrunner for Best Lead Actress at the 2026 Oscars! And honestly, the way Hamnet was made is just stunning – the craft and technical aspects are truly top-tier. Even if you don’t usually pay attention to that stuff, you can feel how well-made it is. That’s why I’m not surprised it’s doing so well with both critics and general audiences – it’s a fantastic film all around.

Though Hamnet hasn’t yet had a wide release and isn’t a box office hit, strong commercial performance and positive reviews would boost its chances during awards season. While One Battle After Another is now a strong contender, potentially challenging its chances of winning Best Picture, Hamnet is clearly a film that will stay with audiences for years to come.

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2025-12-01 16:38