Review: Hamnet is a beautiful drama, not to be missed
Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet is a deeply affecting and exquisitely crafted meditation on love, loss, and the fragile poetry of family life. With her signature sensitivity and visual lyricism, Zhao transforms Maggie O’Farrell’s celebrated novel into something intimate yet expansive — a film that feels both historically authentic and emotionally immediate.
The writing is exceptional: restrained, intelligent, and quietly devastating. Rather than leaning into melodrama, the screenplay allows grief to unfold in subtle glances, silences, and gestures. Zhao honours the emotional core of the story, exploring the bond between Agnes and William Shakespeare with tenderness and humanity. Their relationship is rendered not as myth, but as something recognisably real — full of warmth, longing, and shared vulnerability.
Authenticity radiates through every frame. The textures of 16th-century life — candlelit interiors, muddy streets, the rhythms of domestic existence — feel lived-in rather than staged. Nothing appears overly polished or theatrical; instead, the film breathes with naturalism. Zhao’s eye for detail immerses the audience completely in the world.
Visually, Hamnet is stunning. The cinematography captures nature, light, and stillness with extraordinary beauty. Sun-drenched fields, drifting smoke, and soft winter skies become emotional landscapes mirroring the characters’ inner lives. Zhao’s camera lingers patiently, finding meaning in the smallest moments — a hand brushing fabric, a child’s laughter, a mother’s watchful gaze.
And then there are the performances. The connection between the actors is nothing short of magical. The chemistry between Agnes and William feels organic, layered with affection and unspoken understanding. Their shared scenes carry a delicate intensity that anchors the entire film. We cried all the way through — not because the film manipulates emotion, but because it earns it.
What makes Hamnet so powerful is its quietness. Zhao resists spectacle, choosing instead to explore the emotional tremors of ordinary life. The result is a film that feels profoundly personal — a haunting reflection on how love and tragedy shape art, memory, and identity.
Hamnet is not just a literary adaptation; it is a moving cinematic experience. Elegant, authentic, and emotionally resonant, it confirms Zhao’s remarkable ability to find universality in intimacy.
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