Explore Chloé Zhao’s Screenplay of “Hamnet” and What Inspired Shakespeare’s Greatest Work
Hamnet Film Garners Accolades Following Successful Premiere
The romantic drama Hamnet made its world debut at the Telluride Film Festival and won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival, signaling strong potential for Oscar recognition. This promise has materialized, as the film has earned eleven nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, alongside six nominations for the Golden Globes in similar categories. Additionally, it has secured a spot on the AFI’s Top 10 Movies of 2025 list. The film began its theatrical rollout on November 26.
The narrative stars Jessie Buckley as Agnes, Paul Mescal as Will Shakespeare, and Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet Shakespeare. It poignantly portrays the tragic life and death of Hamnet, who succumbs to the bubonic plague at the tender age of 11. His untimely loss is believed to have deeply impacted his father, influencing Shakespeare’s later creation of the iconic tragedy, Hamlet.
Agnes Hathaway, historically known as Anne Hathaway but depicted as Agnes in both the novel and film, emerges as the story’s central figure. She is characterized as a free-spirited individual with a profound connection to nature and herbal remedies, standing as a mysterious presence in her community.
The film dedicates its initial act to the passionate and unconventional courtship between Agnes and Will, who struggles beneath the authoritarian control of his father. This segment lays the groundwork for a dynamic yet ultimately strained bond between two artistic spirits.
The narrative escalates with Hamnet’s sudden death, presenting the immediate and visceral grief experienced by the family, particularly Agnes, who is left alone in Stratford while William pursues his career in London.
This loss creates a significant divide between the parents. Their shared sorrow is felt in isolation, with William channeling his emotions into his work, whereas Agnes retreats inward, unable to connect with her husband’s intellectual handling of their shared pain.
In its final act, the film delves into the widely held theory that Shakespeare transformed his grief over Hamnet into his masterpiece, Hamlet. The climax sees Agnes secretly attending the play’s inaugural performance. Initially perceiving the use of her son’s name as a betrayal, she ultimately discovers a complex tribute and reconciling power in the art.
The screenplay’s primary achievement lies in humanizing the legendary figure of Shakespeare. It dismantles the myth of “The Bard” to weave a deeply intimate story of a mother, a father, and the devastating impact of their son’s life and death, suggesting that this domestic tragedy gave rise to a literary classic.
