Hamnet reimagines Hamlet's origin with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley

Chloé Zhao's film Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's novel and co-written with her, imagines the grief of William Shakespeare and his wife after their son Hamnet's death and features performances by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

Chloé Zhao's Hamnet frames the origin of Hamlet as a personal tragedy, following William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes (Anne Hathaway) after the death of their son Hamnet in 1596. The screenplay was co-written by Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell and is inspired by O'Farrell's 2020 novel and a 2004 essay by Stephen Greenblatt. The film concentrates on the couple's inner life, portraying Agnes in the woods and William in London as the story explores how loss is lived and transformed. Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal lead the cast, and the production emphasizes visual and musical atmosphere. Notable details: - The film adapts Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel and draws on Stephen Greenblatt's 2004 essay as a source. - Chloé Zhao directed and co-wrote the screenplay with O'Farrell. - Jessie Buckley plays Agnes and Paul Mescal plays William Shakespeare. - The narrative imagines the death of the Shakespeares' son Hamnet at age 11 in 1596 and explores the couple's response. - Cinematography is by Łukasz Żal and the score is by Max Richter. - The review describes the film as speculative and contrived in premise but notes its daring approach and absorbing performances. Summary: The review says Zhao and O'Farrell's reimagining deepens rather than resolves questions about the origins of Hamlet, offering a tender, speculative creation myth centered on loss and artistic transformation. It highlights the film's visual and musical design and the central performances. Undetermined at this time.