Story perspectives

Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet' Explores Shakespeare's Son, Releases Thanksgiving

9/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Chloé Zhao's fifth film, “Hamnet,” adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about Shakespeare’s son.
Amblin Partners approached Zhao after she met lead actor Paul Mescal at a festival.
Mescal's recommendation led to casting him and Jessie Buckley as Shakespeare and Agnes.
Zhao prioritized character depth over expansive settings in her filmmaking approach.
“Hamnet” connects Shakespeare’s themes of mortality to his son's death and releases on Thanksgiving weekend.

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Story summary

Chloé Zhao's fifth film, “Hamnet,” adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about Shakespeare’s son.
Amblin Partners approached Zhao after she met lead actor Paul Mescal at a festival.
Mescal's recommendation led to casting him and Jessie Buckley as Shakespeare and Agnes.
Zhao prioritized character depth over expansive settings in her filmmaking approach.
“Hamnet” connects Shakespeare’s themes of mortality to his son's death and releases on Thanksgiving weekend.