Film

Hamnet

Released 2025·Directed by Chloe Zhao·Based on Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
20 think pieces
The New Republic·review
Something Is Rotten in Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet” | The New Republic

Zhao's *Hamnet* imagines Shakespeare's creative struggle with handsome visuals but hollow depth — a melodramatic, prestige-glazed companion to *Shakespeare in Love*, minus the charm.

Score: 76Read at newrepublic.com
The Guardian·review
Hamnet review – Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley beguile and captivate in audacious Shakespearean tragedy | Film | The Guardian

Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* imagines Shakespeare's grief over his son's death as the seed of *Hamlet*. Buckley and Mescal are magnetic in this bold, beautiful speculation.

Score: 76Read at theguardian.com
The New Yorker·interview·Michael Schulman
Chloé Zhao on “Hamnet,” Her Film About the Grief of William Shakespeare | The New Yorker

Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao discusses *Hamnet*, her film about Shakespeare's grief over his son's death, plus nature, neurodivergence, and her creative process.

Score: 76Read at newyorker.com
Folger Shakespeare Library / Shakespeare Unlimited podcast·interview
Hamnet, with Chloé Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell | Folger Shakespeare Library

Chloé Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell discuss adapting *Hamnet*—the novel linking Shakespeare's son's death to *Hamlet*—into a film starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley.

Score: 76Read at folger.edu
IndieWire·review·David Ehrlich
‘Hamnet’ Review: Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley Rip the Heart Right Out of Your Body in Chloé Zhao’s Unspeakably Devastating Shakespeare Fanfic

Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* imagines the grief behind Shakespeare's *Hamlet*, with Mescal and Buckley delivering devastating performances. Bring tissues — this one destroys you.

Score: 75Read at indiewire.com
Vanity Fair·interview·Michelle Ruiz
Chloé Zhao Talks Hamnet, Reviving Buffy, and Navigating Hollywood as a “Deeply Neurodivergent” Director | Vanity Fair

Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao opens up about directing *Hamnet* with Mescal and Buckley, her neurodivergence, and a possible *Buffy* revival.

Score: 74Read at vanityfair.com
Interview Magazine·interview·Bradley Cooper
Chloé Zhao and Bradley Cooper Go Super Deep on "Hamnet"

Chloé Zhao and Bradley Cooper dissect her Shakespeare grief drama *Hamnet* — 8 Oscar noms, Spielberg's backing, and her most personal filmmaking yet.

Score: 74Read at interviewmagazine.com
Variety·review·Peter Debruge
‘Hamnet’ Review: Jessie Buckley Delivers a Devastating Performance in Chloé Zhao’s Radically Feminine Take on Shakespeare’s Family Life

Chloé Zhao's grief-wrecked Shakespeare film centers his wife, not the Bard. Jessie Buckley is devastating. Radical, polarizing, and unlike anything you've seen.

Score: 72Read at variety.com
Vox·commentary·Constance Grady
The debate over Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, explained | Vox

Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* is an Oscars frontrunner dividing critics: transcendent grief film or emotional manipulation? Here's why the debate matters.

Score: 72Read at vox.com
Los Angeles Times·interview·Josh Rottenberg
Director Chloé Zhao on turning heartbreak into 'Hamnet,' her Telluride triumph - Los Angeles Times

Chloé Zhao opens up about personal heartbreak and her creative reinvention after *Eternals*, channeling pain into Shakespeare adaptation *Hamnet*, a Telluride hit.

Score: 72Read at latimes.com
A Rabbit's Foot·essay·Haaniyah Awale Angus
A Rabbit's Foot To cry or not to cry? With Chloe Zhao’s 'Hamnet', that really is the question - A Rabbit's Foot

Zhao's *Hamnet* has been slammed as manipulative tear-bait. The writer disagrees — and argues that crying on cue might actually be the point.

Score: 72Read at a-rabbitsfoot.com
IndieWire·interview·Anne Thompson
Chloé Zhao Interview: On 'Hamnet,' Paul Mescal, and Jessie Buckley

Chloé Zhao opens up about making *Hamnet*—her emotionally raw Shakespeare adaptation—and why she needed her 40s to finally slow down and go deep.

Score: 72Read at indiewire.com
The Hollywood Reporter·interview
Why Chloé Zhao Returned With 'Hamnet' After a 4-Year Hiatus

Chloé Zhao breaks her four-year silence with *Hamnet*—Shakespeare's grief reimagined through Maggie O'Farrell's novel, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley to TIFF raves.

Score: 72Read at hollywoodreporter.com
The Conversation·essay·Agata Grzybowska
Shakespeare reinvented: how Chloé Zhao blends East and West philosophies in Hamnet

Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet* reframes Shakespeare through grief and Eastern philosophy. A deep dive into how a Beijing-born director reshapes a Western classic.

Score: 72Read at theconversation.com
The Hollywood Reporter·interview
Bong Joon Ho Interviews Chloé Zhao About 'Hamnet' (Exclusive Video)

Bong Joon Ho and Chloé Zhao reunite on Zoom to discuss *Hamnet*, her Golden Globe-winning Shakespeare drama that moved Bong to tears and reignited his creative drive.

Score: 72Read at hollywoodreporter.com
Los Angeles Times·essay·Maggie O'Farrell
How Chloé Zhao convinced Maggie O'Farrell to co-write 'Hamnet' - Los Angeles Times

O'Farrell resisted adapting her own novel—until Zhao won her over. The two co-wrote *Hamnet*'s screenplay across continents via marathon voice notes.

Score: 72Read at latimes.com
TIME·interview·Kaitlyn McNab
Chloé Zhao Is Open to New Discoveries | TIME

After a 4-year Hollywood break, Chloé Zhao returns with *Hamnet*—a Golden Globe winner and Best Picture contender—crediting inner renewal for her creative comeback.

Score: 72Read at time.com
IndieWire·interview·Chris O'Falt
'Hamnet' Director Chloé Zhao Rejects Call for 'Original' Music and Art

Chloé Zhao defends reusing Max Richter's "The Nature of Daylight" in *Hamnet*, arguing our obsession with originality in art is misguided.

Score: 72Read at indiewire.com
TheWrap·interview
Chloé Zhao on 'Hamnet,' Grief and Keeping Your Heart Open When the World Is Falling Apart

Chloé Zhao's *Hamnet*—Shakespeare's grief reimagined—lands eight Oscar noms. She dances in airports instead of writing thank-you speeches. The film leaves audiences sobbing for days.

Score: 72Read at thewrap.com
USA TODAY·interview·Patrick Ryan
Jessie Buckley, Chloé Zhao opened up like never before making 'Hamnet'

Buckley and Zhao reveal how grief, dancing in Elizabethan costume, and raw personal breakthroughs shaped their devastating Shakespeare film *Hamnet*.

Score: 68Read at eu.usatoday.com