This review contains spoilers.

Director and co-writer Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” gave life to a story from the Renaissance era and broke hearts in the modern era. 

The film, released on Nov. 26, stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes, historically referred to as Anne Hathaway. The film follows Shakespeare in the years before and while writing his classic “Hamlet.”

Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel of the same title, “Hamnet” broke the hearts of its viewers. O’Farrell co-wrote the film with Zhao, adapting the historical fiction story of the tragedy that led Shakespeare to write “Hamlet.” 

The film begins with William and Agnes meeting and quickly deciding to marry. Agnes has three children, one of them a son named Hamnet. William leaves the family at home often to be in London writing plays. 

Hamnet’s twin sister, Judith, becomes very ill with the bubonic plague. Hamnet prays to switch places with her and ends up contracting the disease and dying from it rapidly. His sister is spared and recovers from the sickness. 

A heart cannot help but melt at Hamnet’s act of brotherly love that is portrayed as the reason for her survival. Hamnet is portrayed as a strong, passionate little boy who just wanted his sister to live. That emotion is what makes the film stand out. 

Despite doing everything she could to prevent her son’s death, Agnes is shattered and unforgiving towards her husband since he was out of town at the time of Hamnet’s painful death. 

Out of agony, Shakespeare writes “Hamlet” after his son’s death.

The performances from both Mescal and Buckley were stellar. They brought the audience along through the tragedy and showcased the grief authentically. At the moment of Hamnet’s death, Buckley lets out a gut-wrenching scream that stops time. 

Even though some audience members knew Hamnet was going to die because of the book, Zhao was still able to keep the audience on the edge of their seats by creating a sense of peacefulness at the beginning of the film.

Although the story is based on Shakespeare and his writing of “Hamlet,” the real star of the film is Buckley as Agnes. The film authentically explored her life and motherhood.

She is shown as a herbalist and is portrayed as a witch of the forest. Her efforts are what save her daughter from death. 

The start and end of the film were slow going, but that helped make the climax of Hamnet’s death impactful. Everything was going ordinarily for this family until they were struck with sickness. 

After the climax of Hamnet’s death and the grief that followed, Shakespeare’s first production of “Hamlet” ends the film. This slowed down the film immensely and did not leave the audience with a clear message. 

During these scenes, the audience is hoping for a resolution for these characters, and they are instead met with a confusing jumble of scenes from “Hamlet.” 

The movie may have some slower moments, but the heart-melting scenes and Buckley’s outstanding performance make it a top contender this awards season. 

Email: [email protected] 

Related Stories:

— Reel Thoughts: ‘Sentimental Value’ captures familial love and loss, separation of art and reality 

— Reel Thoughts: ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ pulls off a blockbuster hat-trick

— Reel Thoughts: ‘Wicked: For Good’ pales in comparison to its source material