Chloé Zhao’s 2026 adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet provides a detailed and touching encapsulation of nature and human connection. Drawing on the novel’s key storylines, Zhao crafts an intimate cinematic experience, elevated by Oscar-worthy performances from Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl) and Paul Mescal (Normal People). While the film occasionally collapses with minor plot inconsistencies and underdeveloped characters, its emotionally powerful atmosphere provides life-changing insights, firmly establishing it as a must-see.
Set in rural England during the late 16th century, Hamnet explores a fictional story of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes. It traces the beginning of their marriage, their children, and the devastating loss of their 11-year-old son Hamnet, becoming the tragedy that inspired Shakespeare’s iconic play Hamlet. The film fosters feelings of emotional realism and intimacy, drawing viewers into universally relatable themes of grief, marital issues, and familial bonds, encouraging a responsive involvement from the viewer.
These elements are evidently portrayed through the gut-wrenching death of Hamnet, marital dynamics between William and Agnes, and the power of the connections among their children. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of grief touches you in ways unfathomable, connecting the rawness of her passionate responses to the values of the audience, sensitively impacting viewers through her lingering reactions, encouraging levels of emotional involvement. Buckley’s performance is more than worthy of an Oscar, fostering Agnes’ deep connection with nature and the spiritual values passed down from her mother, creating a powerful bond with the audience.
Paul Mescal brings a surprising vulnerability to William, contrasting his usual roles, building on the emotional depth seen in Aftersun (2022) while differentiating from more brute roles like Lucius in Gladiator II (2024). Together, these two actors create a realistic interpretation of marital tension and loss. The casting of Jacobi and Noah Jupe as Hamnet and Hamlet increases the sentimental value of the film, allowing us to sympathise with Agnes, and exemplify the sorrow of Hamnet’s death.
Zhao’s collaboration with cinematographer Łukasz Źal constructs an effortless dreamlike vision of the English countryside, employing natural light sources and earthy tones to reflect Agnes’ inner thoughts and contrast it to William’s more grounded state of living. The score by composer Max Richter adds a level of depth to the film by accentuating grief and tension, using Renaissance-inspired styles to emphasise both emotion and the time period, incorporating his famous “On the Nature of Daylight” into the final scene to foster sensitivity. Costume design not only felt realistic but also added a level of colour association to the narrative.
Zhao’s film delivers on every level
Agnes’ evolving shades of red foreshadowed levels of grief and transformation, altering throughout the film to underscore her character. William’s light blue highlights his emotional serenity throughout the film, despite severe life transformations and stressful environments, enriching the film’s atmosphere and how it is perceived. However, the adaptation neglects several significant elements from O’Farrell’s novel, sometimes diminishing how certain instances are understood, minimising its emotional complexity and the ability to connect with the audience.
Agnes’ mystical, witchlike nature has been notably subdued, significantly altering her character by making her less distinctive, and weakening viewer connection. Consequently, the film’s pacing can feel rushed at times, glossing over fundamental moments and potentially leaving those who are unfamiliar with the book somewhat confused. Hamnet is an essential viewing for both devoted readers and casual moviegoers, capturing the spirit of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel while providing a compelling grasp of love, loss, and resilience, fostering emotional intimacy.
Whether you seek tentative analysis of its features, or simply want a good cry, Zhao’s film delivers on every level, making it definitely worthy of five stars. Let your life be altered through Chloe Zhao’s vision, as it will capture your heart—the rest is silence.