Hamnet (2025) - Review

In May/June, my husband and I took a trip to Europe. I find a great way to get the hours to pass faster is by watching an engaging movie.  As I was scrolling through the offerings I saw Hamnet. I knew literally nothing about the movie except for its mention during awards season. It was only after I watched it I discovered it was based on a historical novel by Maggie O'Farrell that reimagines the life of William Shakespeare’s family - reimagines means the story is fictionalized. Despite the small screen, I decided to give it a go, and I am so glad I did. 

This film really is special. Right from the first scene I was drawn into the plot.  The storyline flows calmly forward, allowing the audience to enjoy the incredible scenery and beautiful cinematography. The characters are gently filled out. The dialogue isn't excessive.  People say what needs to be said, but much is also told by following the character's actions as well. When the final credits started to roll, I couldn't believe 2 hours had passed.

Movie Trailer

Personally, this is one of the best films I have seen in a very long time. It has set the bar high for whatever I watch next. Script, casting, cinematography, sound, editing, costume design, and more all sync'ed together.  I am not alone in finding this movie brilliant. Awards have rained down on the Hamnet. Over the season the movie has received 319 nominations and won 97 awards.  You can view a full list on IDBM here - www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/awards/

I don't want to say too much about the plot as I enjoy a movie best when I know as little as possible and haven't read many reviews.  It allows me to sink into the experience without expectations. So all I will share here is the film begins when Agnes (played by Jessie Buckley) and Shakespeare (played by Paul Mescal) meet and then marry.  Over the course of their marriage, they  have 3 children. Will (William Shakespeare) eventually moves to London to pursue his career in Elizabethan theater and write his plays, while leaving his family behind in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon. Themes of love, loss, distance, family, joy and grief all play out. 

The casting for this movie was strong, but I found actor Buckley's performance as Agnes really stood out the most. Her character holds center stage, on screen for much of the time, moving the story along and keeping the threads of the story entwined.  She carries the roles of mother, wife, witch with second sight, herbalist and healer with a strong connection to nature easily. Her family is her priority. She protects Will and the children with an unflinching fierceness.  When tragedy does come despite her intense efforts, the effect is devastating.  

Mescal did a great job of bringing the evolving character of Shakespeare alive. He on screen a lot in the early years when he lives with the family and is involved in the kids daily lives, then slowly fades to the background after he moves to London to work on his plays. The roles of his children are well cast too -  Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Susanna, and Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes as fraternal twins Hamnet and Judith. Their on-screen interactions are funny and heart-warming. 

In closing I want to say well-done to the many professionals involved in creating this film. I mentioned cinematography and casting above, but want to also acknowledge those who created the sound track. The audio worked well, and, unlike many movies I have seen recently, the sound levels were balanced in a way that kept background sounds in the background, allowing the characters' voices to be front and center so the audience could heard every word. KUDOS! I find way too many new movies miss this mark.

A wonderful film I highly recommend.