Steven Spielberg Surprises at Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Premiere

Steven Spielberg made an unexpected appearance at the London Film Festival premiere of Chloé Zhao’s film Hamnet on Saturday night, applauding the director for her deeply moving historical drama. The event took place at the Royal Festival Hall, where Spielberg shared his admiration for Zhao’s unique filmmaking approach while highlighting the emotional power of the film.

The audience warmly welcomed Spielberg as he recounted their first meeting at a dinner for Oscar-nominated directors, following Zhao’s win for Nomadland. His surprise presence added excitement and underscored the significance of the occasion.

Spielberg Reflects on Zhao’s Artistic Connection to Nature

Spielberg spoke fondly of his friendship with Zhao, describing how their creative bond grew over shared lunches at Amblin. He emphasized the distinctive quality that sets Zhao apart as a filmmaker.

“We became friends and we’d have lunch together at Amblin and I’m just amazed by her, you know,”

Steven Spielberg said.

The legendary director elaborated on Zhao’s profound connection to the natural world, which he believes fuels her artistry and resonates throughout her films.

“I really believe the earth has a heartbeat. It’s a 24/7 seismic cycle, and all of us are connected to this heartbeat which happens right under our feet. But Chloé Zhao is connected to it in a profound way because it’s where her art comes from,”

Spielberg explained.

“It’s what she brings to set every day, it’s what she anoints and shares with her cast every day. And I really believe that when you see ‘Hamnet,’ you’ll be able to feel the seismic heartbeat of the earth because of Chloé Zhao.”

‘Hamnet’: Storyline, Cast, and Spielberg’s Role

Steven Spielberg also serves as a producer on Hamnet, a film based on the powerful narrative of love and loss that inspired Shakespeare’s famous play, “Hamlet.” The story centers on William Shakespeare, portrayed by Paul Mescal, and his wife Agnes, played by Jessie Buckley.

Mescal praised Zhao’s direction, calling her

“one of the great witches of our day,”

and credited the atmosphere she created as a major factor in the audience’s strong response to the film.

Emotional Premiere and Zhao’s Grateful Remarks

When Chloé Zhao took the stage, she was visibly moved, opening with an appeal for understanding.

“I am very emotional, so I ask for your grace,”

Zhao said, continuing,

“I feel immense gratitude because today we finally brought ‘Hamnet’ home.”

She shared how filming in a small island village fostered a rare sense of community and safety that supported her through challenging times, a feeling she cherishes deeply amid an increasingly isolated world.

“Making a film on this island with this village has given me a deep feeling of community, of safety that I don’t think I’ve ever experienced before. It helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I don’t take it for granted, especially in a world that is becoming increasingly lonesome.”

Before the screening began, Zhao led the audience in a breathing exercise and offered a guiding mantra to embrace throughout the film: All emotions are welcome.

Critical Reception and Upcoming Release Dates

Hamnet premiered last month at the Telluride Film Festival, where it attracted significant attention and generated early Oscar buzz. It later won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge described the film as

“so emotionally raw as to be almost excruciating at times.”

He praised Jessie Buckley’s performance as Agnes, noting:

“Jessie Buckley delivers a heroic performance as Shakespeare’s wife Agnes and the mother of his children — although as presented, she could be the mother of us all — the grounded, near-shamanic spirit forced to accept the death of her son, Hamnet.”

Debruge also noted that while Paul Mescal’s portrayal of Shakespeare channels grief into his work on “the Danish play,” the emotional center of the film is dominated by its feminine perspective.

Hamnet will open in select theaters in the U.S. and Canada on November 27, with a wider release on December 12 through Focus Features. The film will debut in the U.K. on January 9 via Universal Pictures.

The Film’s Cultural and Emotional Resonance

The premiere of Hamnet marks a notable moment for Chloé Zhao’s career, reinforcing her reputation as a filmmaker capable of combining intimate storytelling with universal themes. Spielberg’s endorsement highlights the film’s artistic depth and its connection to timeless human experiences of family and grief.

With critical acclaim and audience appreciation building, Hamnet is poised to become a significant contender during the awards season, while offering viewers a profound meditation on loss and love through the lens of history and Shakespearean legacy.