William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway when he was just 19 years old. The couple had three children and the middle one, a boy called Hamnet died at a young age. The film of the same name written and directed by Chloé Zhao is an attempt to tell the story of how the parents met and some of their life together.
Despite being the most prolific and famous writer in the English language, little is actually known about the life of Shakespeare, so the film is basically complete speculation.
Anne, or Agnes as she’s known in the film is a ‘healer’ of sorts who dabbles in tinctures and tonics. William meanwhile abandons his abusing father for a creative life in London and over time gets famous and wealthy. At a young age, Hamnet dies of the plague and while both parents are grief struck, Agnes completely falls apart. William’s way of coping is to write and the play Hamlet is born from his grief.
The film is extremely well cast. Jessie Buckley as Agnes is strong and Paul Mescal as William has great emotional depth. The stand out is Jacobi Jupe who gives a compelling performance as the eponymous Hamnet.
The film has great depth to it and is captivating. The pace is often slow which is mostly ok, but there are moments when scenes feel a little too drawn out. Similarly, some of the most dramatic moments maybe gripping but some of them feel a overdone.
This is a beautifully filmed movie, the cinematography is gorgeous and when combined with realistic sets and costumes it does feel very authentic.
Overall, other than some slow and histrionic moments, Hamnet is a masterpiece.
Opens in New Zealand cinemas 15th January 2026.
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
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
Duration -126 minutes