The highly praised British film Hamnet, starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, is now showing in UK cinemas. It was first shown last year and released in the US over Thanksgiving.
It’s been a long wait for viewers across the Atlantic, but UK fans can finally see the film, which many predict will be an awards contender.
Inspired by Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, Hamnet is a fictionalized account of William Shakespeare (played by Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Buckley), and how the loss of their son deeply affected him, ultimately inspiring the play Hamlet.
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With a strong 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 274 reviews, the movie has been praised, with The Mary Sue calling it “a breathtakingly real and perfect look at art, love, and grief.”
TheWrap praised the film as a stunning achievement across all aspects – technically, artistically, intellectually, and emotionally. The Film Maven described it as a moving and insightful exploration of grief and the healing power of art.
In a five-star review, Digital Spy said the movie will likely make you cry, but that through the tears, you’ll recognize it as one of the year’s best films.
The film Hamnet is directed by Chloé Zhao, known for Nomadland, and she co-wrote the script with the novel’s author, Maggie O’Farrell. The cast includes Emily Watson (from Dune: Prophecy), Joe Alwyn (The Brutalist), and David Wilmot (The Wonder).
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Buckley described working on the film as her most creatively free and spontaneous experience. She also shared that exploring the character of Agnes – particularly her connection to nature, family, and the cycles of life and death – was a deeply powerful experience for her.
Zhao shared that working on the project was a surprising experience, noting how deeply engaging and sensory the book was. She also commented on the writing style, saying it felt remarkably similar to her own editing rhythm and pace.
Hamnet is out now in UK cinemas.
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2026-01-09 15:49