Kulture Korner: Hamnet Review

By: Jungha Kwon, Staff Writer

Directed by: Chloé Zhao Written by: Chloé Zhao, Maggie O'Farrell Starring: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson

THE KELLOGGIAN'S RATING: 4.5/5 Cereals

Source: IMDb

The film I am reviewing today, Hamnet, was a major contender at this year’s Oscar Awards, earning eight nominations including Best Picture. While I believe it’s a truly magnificent piece of cinema, I have no qualms with the final results. The winner, One Battle After Another, was exceptional—but that doesn’t mean the other contenders aren’t valuable. That’s why I want to turn our attention to Hamnet, which has suddenly been left in the shadows.

As you might guess from the title, the film is a combination of Shakespeare’s own life deeply intertwined with his great tragedy, Hamlet—and it’s actually an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name. Unlike a typical Shakespeare biography, it doesn’t fixate too heavily on the man himself. In fact, Shakespeare’s actual screen time is quite limited. Instead, the film explores a vast array of subjects: the solidarity life of women, the depths of familial love, and the grand cycle of life. But the most prominent theme is undoubtedly loss and how we confront it.

Loss is a universal agony. Whether the hole left behind is small or large, the pain remains constant. The sting of grief comes from staring into the "empty space" that remains. There is perhaps nothing more painful than a wish for something that can never return. This film focuses on the "rediscovery" of that empty space, or rather, “what should be there.” Rediscovery does not erase the loss, but it allows us to acknowledge it and move forward.

The process of reaching this rediscovery differs for everyone, but in this particular story, Shakespeare’s work acts as the bridge. Tragedies in the Elizabethan era were more than just literature or performance; they were meant to lead the audience through grief toward catharsis. The film captures this beautifully. As we watch the characters process tragedy, the audience experiences a unique catharsis from a different angle., experiencing our own paths toward “rediscovery.” After this overwhelming experience, we’re finally able to face our own internal voids. We stop searching for “what should be there" in the wrong places and rediscover it in a new light.

Beyond the exquisite direction from Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao (Nomadland), the immersive power of the film is doubled by the masterclass acting. In particular, Jessie Buckley’s (Agnes Hathaway, Shakespeare’s wife) performance is arguably the finest of 2025, a fact proven by her many accolades including the Oscar for Best Actress. She navigates the high difficulty task of alternating between subtle emotional shifts and violent storms of passion with perfection. The final sequence, where she conveys volatile emotions and microscopic nuances without a single line of dialogue, is nothing short of breathtaking. (If you wish to see more of her incredible work, I recommend I Am Thinking of Ending Things). Paul Mescal also delivers a deeply moving performance. His ability to portray microscopic emotions has a way of quietly shaking the viewer’s heart. Although he has less screen time and fewer emotional outbursts than Buckley, he successfully establishes himself as a compelling lead. Even the child actors are astonishing, showing a level of emotional depth that is rare for their age.

If I had to pick a single flaw, it would be that the story and its progression are somewhat predictable. But is that really a weakness? After all, Shakespeare’s tragedies following the same predictability too. Even if you anticipate a scene, the sensory execution is so refined that it pulls you into an emotional state far beyond your expectations.

I won’t spoil any more, but know that the emotional journey of the film is a roller coaster—a rare feat for a story that’s also predictable. Take my word for it: watch this from start to finish in a quiet, focused space, and you’ll find something that transcends simple entertainment. We have all looked into an "empty space" at some point in our lives. Embrace those voids and give Hamnet a watch.

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