Intro: I'm in my movie era once again and lately I've been trying to catch up with all the films that I missed during last year or saved "for later" and never went back to. So here we are, giving this franchise another chance after its disappointing latest entries. But I was looking for somthing fun and easy and I thought this one could be a good candidate.
Film 2433: "Hamnet" (2025), Chloé Zhao
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: If "Shakespeare in Love" were a bit more similar to this one, maybe it would have received less backlash when winning all those Oscars...
Controversy aside, "Hamnet" really surprised me. I wasn’t sure I’d have enjoyed it — it’s a period drama about Shakespeare and the making of Hamlet, so not necessarily my go-to story. And yet, I really liked it.
It’s definitely not an easy watch. It’s a sad story about the struggle of a family; it revolves around grief and loss. But it’s so beautifully made — its connection to nature, death, and those powers that go beyond the human experience is ever-present — and the performances are so powerful that it all stays with you even after the movie has ended. It is, indeed, an experience, and I think Chloé Zhao’s sensibility and vision for this story really make it a unique piece of art.
On top of all of this, Jessie Buckley gives the performance of a lifetime. She’s magnetic and charismatic and almost carries the whole movie herself. It’s honestly a revelation. She’s so connected to her emotions, and she’s able to portray them in such a way that is exhilarating to watch and heartbreaking at the same time. If this performance doesn’t win her the Oscar, I don’t know what will. Paul Mescal is also great here, and it’s a bit disappointing to see him left out of the Supporting Actor category, even though he didn’t really have a shot at winning.
Possibly the biggest surprise of "Hamnet" is Jacobi Jupe, a kid actor who can hold his own in a room full of talented grown-ups. His performance is amazing and, although difficult for a younger actor, he should have been more recognized for his portrayal of Hamnet Shakespeare.
Overall, this is one of the best movies nominated at the Oscars that I’ve seen so far. I do think that the first part is a bit slow and can drag at times, yet once the story gets you to the city — once you’re in that theater — you’re hooked. That last scene, when Agnes (Buckley) reaches forward to hold the actor’s hand (Noah Jupe), is so powerful and meaningful that it was impossible for me to hold back my tears. If only for that scene, "Hamnet" is a great movie.
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Jacobi Jupe, Noah Jupe, Joe Alwyn.
Box Office: $22 million
Worth a watch?: Not an easy watch and probably not everyone’s cup of tea. If you like beautifully shot dramas and/or if you’re a fan of the Oscars, this is a must-watch. And Jessie Buckley’s performance is one for the ages.
Awards: Nominated for 8 Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actress (Jessie Buckley), Adapted Screenplay, Casting, Costume Design, Production Design, and Original Score. Nominated for 11 BAFTAs for Best Film, Director, Actress in a Leading Role (Buckley), Actor in a Supporting Role (Paul Mescal), Actress in a Supporting Role (Emily Watson), Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design, Makeup and Hair, Original Score, and Outstanding British Film. Nominated for 6 Golden Globes (Best Director, Supporting Actor for Mescal, Screenplay, and Original Score), it won for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama (Buckley). 3 nominations at the Actor Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Buckley), and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Mescal).
Key word: London.
Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi
Watched: At the movies
Language: English
Watched with: Niamh
Thoughts: If "Shakespeare in Love" were a bit more similar to this one, maybe it would have received less backlash when winning all those Oscars...
Controversy aside, "Hamnet" really surprised me. I wasn’t sure I’d have enjoyed it — it’s a period drama about Shakespeare and the making of Hamlet, so not necessarily my go-to story. And yet, I really liked it.
It’s definitely not an easy watch. It’s a sad story about the struggle of a family; it revolves around grief and loss. But it’s so beautifully made — its connection to nature, death, and those powers that go beyond the human experience is ever-present — and the performances are so powerful that it all stays with you even after the movie has ended. It is, indeed, an experience, and I think Chloé Zhao’s sensibility and vision for this story really make it a unique piece of art.
On top of all of this, Jessie Buckley gives the performance of a lifetime. She’s magnetic and charismatic and almost carries the whole movie herself. It’s honestly a revelation. She’s so connected to her emotions, and she’s able to portray them in such a way that is exhilarating to watch and heartbreaking at the same time. If this performance doesn’t win her the Oscar, I don’t know what will. Paul Mescal is also great here, and it’s a bit disappointing to see him left out of the Supporting Actor category, even though he didn’t really have a shot at winning.
Possibly the biggest surprise of "Hamnet" is Jacobi Jupe, a kid actor who can hold his own in a room full of talented grown-ups. His performance is amazing and, although difficult for a younger actor, he should have been more recognized for his portrayal of Hamnet Shakespeare.
Overall, this is one of the best movies nominated at the Oscars that I’ve seen so far. I do think that the first part is a bit slow and can drag at times, yet once the story gets you to the city — once you’re in that theater — you’re hooked. That last scene, when Agnes (Buckley) reaches forward to hold the actor’s hand (Noah Jupe), is so powerful and meaningful that it was impossible for me to hold back my tears. If only for that scene, "Hamnet" is a great movie.
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Jacobi Jupe, Noah Jupe, Joe Alwyn.
Box Office: $22 million
Worth a watch?: Not an easy watch and probably not everyone’s cup of tea. If you like beautifully shot dramas and/or if you’re a fan of the Oscars, this is a must-watch. And Jessie Buckley’s performance is one for the ages.
Awards: Nominated for 8 Oscars for Best Picture, Director, Actress (Jessie Buckley), Adapted Screenplay, Casting, Costume Design, Production Design, and Original Score. Nominated for 11 BAFTAs for Best Film, Director, Actress in a Leading Role (Buckley), Actor in a Supporting Role (Paul Mescal), Actress in a Supporting Role (Emily Watson), Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design, Production Design, Makeup and Hair, Original Score, and Outstanding British Film. Nominated for 6 Golden Globes (Best Director, Supporting Actor for Mescal, Screenplay, and Original Score), it won for Best Motion Picture - Drama and Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama (Buckley). 3 nominations at the Actor Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (Buckley), and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Mescal).
Key word: London.
Trailer
#HollywoodCiak
Bengi
