On Friday evening in Colorado, Chloé Zhao introduced her latest work, Hamnet, to an attentive audience at the Telluride Film Festival, creating a profound atmosphere marked by silence and anticipation. The Oscar-winning filmmaker set the emotional tone by expressing her joy, saying,
I’m so happy our baby is taking its place in the world amongst the mountains.
Zhao’s film quickly took viewers on a deeply affecting journey through loss and grief, grounded in a story that is both intimate and universal.
The Story Behind Hamnet and Its Emotional Core
Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel by Zhao and O’Farrell, Hamnet imagines the life of William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley) as they face the unimaginable sorrow of losing their son. Set against a backdrop of tender family moments disrupted by tragedy, the film captures their emotional paralysis—caught between a painful past and an uncertain future—illustrating how grief profoundly alters those left behind.
The opening scenes introduce Agnes nestled within an ethereal forest, symbolizing life’s fragile beauty and the heartbreaking certainty that what is cherished can be abruptly lost. Through this imagery, Hamnet explores the complex and unique ways parents experience the death of a child, showing their struggle to carry on each day despite the weight of their sorrow.
Exploring Themes of Love, Loss, and Resilience
More than just an exploration of grief, the film delves into the challenges of single parenting and the strains that arise when love turns into absence. Jessie Buckley’s portrayal of Agnes is a moving evolution from a curious girl enchanted by the natural world to a woman hardened by life’s hardships but determined to hold her family together. Her performance vividly communicates raw emotions, blending anger, fear, joy, and relief with remarkable authenticity.
Buckley’s ability to embody these complex feelings is striking. With subtle gestures and intense expressions, she conveys a depth of pain and endurance that will resonate widely, suggesting a strong possibility of an Oscar nod following her acclaim for The Lost Daughter.
Paul Mescal’s Subtle but Impactful Shakespeare
Opposite Buckley, Paul Mescal offers a gentle and introspective take on Shakespeare, carefully weighing his emotions in a way that deepens the narrative’s impact. Mescal’s rendition of the iconic
To be or not to be…that is the question
is delivered with a fluidity and emotional nuance that reinterprets the famous soliloquy as a meditation on grief.
Mescal’s portrayal further reveals Shakespeare’s descent into creative inspiration amid loss, as he channels his sorrow into writing what will become Hamlet, adding emotional layers to the son’s tragic death. Alongside this film, Mescal is also featured in The History of Sound, highlighting his rising profile in this awards season.
A Remarkable Performance by Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet
Among the film’s standout moments are those delivered by Jacobi Jupe as the Shakespeares‘ son, Hamnet. His nuanced and thoughtful performance captures the emotional weight of a child whose presence shapes the entire story yet embodies fragility and innocence. Jupe’s work invites empathy and marks him as a young actor to watch in the future.
Chloé Zhao’s Artistic Vision and Use of Nature in Storytelling
Chloé Zhao’s direction reflects a unique sensitivity to humanity’s most delicate emotions by weaving nature’s imagery throughout the film. She frames grief through the lens of Shakespeare’s creative process and the natural world, blending art and emotion in a way that feels both intimate and timeless. This deeply thoughtful approach elevates Hamnet beyond a simple narrative into a meditation on loss, love, and healing.
At the film’s conclusion, during the rainy Telluride night, Zhao humbly shared,
…I hope we did Shakespeare proud.
The final scene, where Agnes‘s hand rests over her heart while Hamlet’s spirit is symbolically released, captures a moment of release and bittersweet joy, embodying the film’s powerful emotional core.
The Audience Reaction and Upcoming Release
The impact of Hamnet was palpable as the audience remained still and emotional through the credits, a testament to the film’s profound resonance. As Shakespeare might say, the experience left everyone with a sense that All’s well that ends well.
Fans of Zhao’s distinctive storytelling and those drawn to deeply human dramas can look forward to the wide theatrical release of Hamnet set for November 27, distributed by Focus Features.
