“To be, or not to be;” that is the question, indeed, which the eponymous Hamlet asks in his monologue in Act 3, Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s most iconic play. The Prince of Denmark contemplates complex topics as suffering in life and suffering in death, coming to no definitive answer but certainly provoking much thought.
“To cry, or not to cry;” that is the question that you will be asking yourself while watching the Golden-Globe-winning phenomenon that is Hamnet. The answer, going on the audience’s reactions, is much more straightforward: to cry.
Hamnet follows William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife, Anne Hathway, or Agnes (Jessie Buckley), over a span of around 15 years. Film charting their stories from their earliest interactions to their experiences with devastating loss and coping with grief. On a surface level, this narrative might not interest you. Yet, whether you’re a history buff, Shakespeare lover, or have absolutely zero passion for either, I cannot recommend it enough.
Having read Maggie O’Farrell’s book of the same name that the film is adapted from—O’Farrell also co-wrote the film’s screenplay along with director Chloé Zhao – this film has been one of my most anticipated for a while.Thankfully, it is both faithful to its source and adds its own flair. The novel, which has won the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Waterstones Book of the Year, has been among my favourites since I read it. Primarily, this is because it is so atypical of what you might expect.
It’s easy to imagine Hamnet as a stuffy, pompous period piece (not that I don’t love those). However, both book and film will surprise you. Sorry to those looking for historical accuracy as O’Farrell herself acknowledges that is not the goal of this story. Although, you will surely be impressed by the incredible production and costume design that flawlessly embody late-16th Century England, from rural villages to London and even a recreation of The Globe. On the contrary, there are many magical realist and even fantastical elements here. Agnes, for example, is characterised as a witch-like figure raised in the forest, granted the ability to read people’s thoughts and see the future through dreams.
What is particularly impressive in the novel is the lyrical, stream-of-consciousness-esque nature of the prose which does so much to develop the characters. In lieu of that, Buckley and Mescal’s performances do wonders to bring these figures to life. Buckley won the Golden Globe for leading actress and Mescal was nominated for supporting actor (which they are set to repeat at the Academy Awards), and these are well-deserved. Their initial romantic, wondrous demeanours devolve into grief-stricken, heartbroken husks, with Buckey in particular ripping audiences’ hearts out with her guttural screams.
These performances, along with the film as a whole, are at their strongest in the final scenes. Centred around the play Hamlet—the film’s opening quote asserts Hamnet and Hamlet were interchangeable in Stratford records of the time. O’Farrell suggests a new interpretation of the over the centuries-old play; that it is a response by Shakespeare to personal loss experienced by himself and Agnes. These scenes, which I will not spoil, provide cathartic
release for the tension and tragedy building up throughout the whole film. This is something I would argue is portrayed even better on film, taking up around thirty minutes, compared to the book, which includes only a few pages focused on this section.
Special mention must be given to the wonderful Jacobi Jupe, who portrays the title character. At only 12 years old, in the best child performance since Owen Cooper in Adolescence (albeit playing wildly different characters). He manages to go toe-to-toe with the acting heavyweights leading the film and stand his ground. Certainly, his performance being brilliant is essential to ensuring that the film’s emotional weight hits in full force; without his character appearing so loveable, charming and sweet, the film would fall apart. Fortunately, Jupe has the juice! Look out for his brother, Noah, who plays the actor performing as Hamlet.
Hamnet is set to be nominated at the Academy Awards as one of the ten best films of 2025, and that moniker is well-deserved. To see, or not to see? There is no question at all.
Words by Isaak Hewitt
