Hamnet (2026), Dir Chloé Zhao, Universal Pictures ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Matthew Alicoon

Hamnet (2026)

Dir Chloé Zhao

Universal Pictures

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Matthew Alicoon

Running Time: 126 Minutes

“Hamnet unfolds with remarkable precision, elegance and grace.” 

Hamnet is the story of the family life involving Agnes Shakespeare (Jessie Buckley) William Shakspeare (Paul Mescal), as they struggle with grief after the death of their 11-year old son Hamnet.

At this present moment, Hamnet stands as a major awards contender ahead of the Academy Awards, after Jessie Buckley won for Best Leading Actress and the Best Drama victory at the Golden Globes. It has been an intriguing awards season for me, particularly with the notion of how heightened acclaim can sometimes inflate expectations. Films such as One Battle After Another and Marty Supreme were widely impressive, however my perspectives did not fully align with the critical acclaim surrounding them. Hamnet does not just meet expectations but surpasses them, emerging as a piece of cinema that genuinely deserves the recognition. I really liked both films but I was not blown away like the majority of the critics were. I now truly think Hamnet deserves to win best picture and deserves the highest amount of awards recognition it can get.

Hamnet unfolds with remarkable precision, elegance and grace. Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell’s screenplay meticulously handles the dramatisation of this story with care, in a way that never glamourises and remains deeply humane and beautifully sentimental. It starts out as a slow burn love story between William and Agne, immediately grounded by the dazzling chemistry of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Chloé Zhao’s direction is intricate and observational, utilising precise stillness to feel the emotional reactions. Regardless of what is going on in the moment you are always focused on Agnes and William’s reaction shots. Hamnet is such a powerful examination of what unconditional parental love is for children. We truly are made to inhabit the love and connection this film exists in, rather than observe from a distance.

This is one of the finest acted films I have ever seen. Jessie Buckley manifests a staggering portrayal of undeniable undeniable love, fury and heartbreak. Her performance is deeply expressive, often communicating more through silence. A pregnancy scene in particular is rendered with such emotional rawness and expressiveness it feels almost unbearable. Paul Mescal is equally remarkable embodying a man who conceals vulnerability and masks emotional restraint with an internalised grief. Together, their performances form a portrait of love that beautifully encapsulate what love looks like and how love can never be lost for the ones who are no longer with us. Jacobi Jube is mesmerising as Hamnet Shakespeare with an instinctual quality to his performance showing the relationship with his sisters.

It has a perfect ending, as after prolonged devastation you finally get to a profound place of acceptance. The use of a Max Richter song is exquisitely timed. Equally the films power lies within its quieter moments, such as William Shakespeare’s anguished question of “How could their son just disappear”.  The film is an acting masterclass and at times feels revelatory in its demonstration of what cinematic performances can truly showcase when guided by trust.

Chloé Zhao has delivered what I consider to already be one of the best films this year, which has magnificent emotional intelligence with artistic precision. The film lingers through the honesty of grief; most importantly Hamnet is a film worthy of the Best Picture win.

Cast

Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare

Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare

Emily Watson as Mary Shakespeare

Joe Alwyn as Bartholomew Hathaway

Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet Shakespeare

Olivia Lynes as Judith Shakespeare

Bodhi Rae Breathnach as Susanna Shakespeare

Crew

Director - Chloé Zhao

Screenwriters - Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell

Producers - Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Steven Spielberg & Sam Mendes

Cinematographer - Łukasz Żal 

Editors - Chloé Zhao & Affonso Gonçalves

Music – Max Richterm