Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Chloé Zhao's 'Hamnet': A Dark Take on Shakespeare's Grief

12/12/2025

48 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Chloé Zhao (filmmaker)'s film Hamnet examines Shakespeare's life, focusing on the death of his son Hamnet and its influence on Hamlet.
The film portrays Shakespeare's early life as dark, contrasting with Shakespeare in Love's lighter tone.
Critics praise Jessie Buckley's portrayal of Agnes and say it may earn her an Oscar.
Some reviews praise the artistic vision and character development.
The film is positioned as a major awards-season contender.

History

Historical Context

William Shakespeare's son Hamnet died at age 11 in 1596, a loss that scholars believe influenced his later tragedies, particularly "Hamlet." While Shakespeare initially wrote comedies, his subsequent works reflected deeper themes of grief. This connection has inspired various artistic interpretations, including Chloé Zhao's film "Hamnet," which explores the impact of personal tragedy on creativity and storytelling.

1 of 2

Story summary

Chloé Zhao (filmmaker)'s film Hamnet examines Shakespeare's life, focusing on the death of his son Hamnet and its influence on Hamlet.
The film portrays Shakespeare's early life as dark, contrasting with Shakespeare in Love's lighter tone.
Critics praise Jessie Buckley's portrayal of Agnes and say it may earn her an Oscar.
Some reviews praise the artistic vision and character development.
The film is positioned as a major awards-season contender.

1 / 2