Riz Ahmed takes on the lead role in a contemporary film adaptation of William Shakespeare‘s Hamlet, bringing his authentic recent experiences as a new father into the character. Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ahmed revealed that embodying Hamlet required him to tap into his real-life state of exhaustion and emotional intensity, which shaped his portrayal.
Channeling Fatigue and Emotional Strain into Performance
Ahmed shared that he approached Hamlet with
“as much honesty as you can muster in that moment,”
emphasizing the importance of grounding the role in raw feeling. Describing himself as a “very sleep-deprived new dad,” he leaned into the exhaustion and irritability he was living through. He explained,
“There was a kind of irritable, exhausted intensity to what I was feeling, and I decided to lean into that.”
He also noted a sense of fear tied to performing the role, saying,
“I wasn’t feeling clever, I wasn’t feeling funny, I wasn’t feeling like the smartest guy, and the guy who can run rings around everyone. I felt the most stressed-out guy in the room.”
Ahmed further reflected on Hamlet’s complexity, describing the character as encompassing
“all the colors in the rainbow,”
and that the best approach is to honestly portray the emotional tone one is experiencing. This perspective allowed Ahmed to bring a nuanced depth to the part during a personally taxing period.
A Modern Setting and Ensemble Cast
The film, directed by Aneil Karia who previously collaborated with Ahmed on the 2020 short The Long Goodbye, sets the classic story within a wealthy British South Asian family against the backdrop of contemporary London life. The cast includes Art Malik, Sheeba Chadha, Joe Alwyn, Morfydd Clark, and Timothy Spall. Ahmed highlighted that English-language Hamlet films have been rare, noting this is the first since Ethan Hawke’s 2000 rendition directed by Michael Almereyda, marking a notable return to the stage for new audiences.
The Play’s Enduring Relevance in Today’s World
Ahmed attributes the timing of this Hamlet adaptation to the relevance of its themes, which resonate with contemporary societal issues. Reflecting on his teenage years, he remarked,
“Why now? I think it’s because the themes of the play really speak to this present moment.”
He elaborated on the play’s engagement with feelings of injustice and confusion, stating,
“I think they’re about contending with a world that is revealing itself to be increasingly unfair and how that makes you feel.”
He described Hamlet as
“grief intersecting with an unjust world and forcing you to almost unravel in the face of that.”
The Core Conflict of Hamlet and Masculine Identity
The story follows a man who returns home after his father’s funeral, discovers his uncle has married his mother, and seeks vengeance after a message from beyond the grave. Ahmed posed critical questions about the character’s struggle, asking,
“Where do you put that sense of powerlessness, disaffection, guilt, complicity, particularly as a man?”
He questioned the responses Hamlet faces:
“Do you fight back or do you turn the other cheek? What does it mean to be a man?”
These reflections underscore the play’s exploration of masculinity and resistance in an unfair world. Ahmed credited these themes for his lifelong fascination with Hamlet and why the play remains urgent today.
The Impact of Ahmed’s Performance and Future Outlook
By drawing on his personal challenges as a new parent and the emotions surrounding those experiences, Riz Ahmed offers a deeply human and intense Hamlet that speaks to modern audiences. The film’s unique cultural lens and contemporary setting promise to add fresh perspectives to Shakespeare’s work. As this adaptation reaches viewers, it invites reflection on societal injustice and individual identity, making it both timely and impactful in today’s cultural landscape.
