Hamnet (125 minutes)

Directed by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet is one of the most emotionally arresting films of recent years — a fictionalised account of how William Shakespeare and his wife worked through the loss of their son, a story that has been overwhelming festival audiences with emotion. Based on the early married life of William and Agnes Shakespeare, the film follows them as they meet, fall in love, and build a family in Stratford, before a devastating loss becomes the emotional root of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Jessie Buckley delivers a heroic performance as Agnes — grounded, near-shamanic, a woman forced to accept the death of her son. Paul Mescal plays Shakespeare, who pours his grief into the stage, but both actor and character are eclipsed by the fierce feminine energy of this story.

Hamnet is heartbreaking, 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.

Full review: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jan/06/hamnet-review-paul-mescal-jessie-buckley-shakespeare-hamlet