When thinking of a film to watch, “Hamnet” is one of the stand-out films of 2025. Released on November 26th, at the height of Thanksgiving Break, it became a massive box office hit and critical success.
Chloé Zao’s Oscar winning film “Hamnet” is an adaptation of the 2020 historical fiction novel written by Maggie O’Farrell. The brilliant cast stars Jessie Buckley, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress at the 98th Academy Awards Ceremony, as well as Paul Mescal, and brothers Jacobi Jupe and Noah Jupe.
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The story follows the famous playwright Wlliam Shakespeare (Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Buckley) as they marry and have three children, one of which is a boy named Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe). The family experiences intense grief and heartbreak upon a plague-like illness which results in Hamnet’s sudden death. Through this, Shakespeare takes time away from his family to work on his masterpiece “Hamlet” which he has dedicated to his son, in honoring his memory. In the final act of the film, his wife finds solace and comfort in the death of her son by seeing the touching performance (with Noah Jupe as the player portraying Hamlet) as a tribute to Hamnet.
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Zao’s film performed incredibly well at the box office with reports of grossing $106 billion worldwide on a $30 million budget. (Box Office Mojo) It also performed well critically with an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.8 on IMDB. The film was widely praised for its touching displays of grief and connection in loss. Many found they could relate to the struggles of losing a loved one, and the journey of the characters navigating their expression is what made the movie so impactful.
Maria Latilla for Film Stories said “Hamnet is heart-breaking, but what makes it truly special is how it’s not just about grief but what makes our losses so devastating: the undying love we have for those who have left us.”
Although many of the talented actors in the cast gave incredible performances, Buckley as Agnes was the shining star of the film. With immense praise from critics and viewers, it seemed natural that she would dominate the awards season with her performance in “Hamnet”. For her performance, Buckley received a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, a BAFTA, a SAG-AFTRA Award, and an Oscar for Best Actress. She left the audiences deeply impacted and connected by her acting as they left the theaters. “
Buckley’s performance is on another level. It is a raw, visceral performance: one to be watched, admired, and studied. A devastatingly beautiful 5-star film, 2026’s cinematic standard has just been set,” said reviewer Cara O’Doherty for The Echo.
“Hamnet” is an art piece that not just film-buffs or Shakespeare lovers can connect to. It is a powerful film that encourages discussions surrounding depression and grief. It is a beautiful testament to the power of love, and family, and finding solace in art as a powerful expression of emotion. “Hamnet” is a highly recommended watch for a transformative experience through media.
