When Chloé Zhao, the Academy‑Award‑winning director of Nomadland and Eternals, unveiled the first official trailer for her new film Hamnet on September 23, 2025, audiences got a glimpse of why the project is already being called a "must‑see" of the season. The 125‑minute drama, based on Maggie O'Farrell’s bestseller, follows Agnes Shakespeare as she wrestles with the death of her eleven‑year‑old son, a loss that would later echo in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet. The trailer, released after a teaser on August 26, 2025, showcases a powerhouse cast – including Paul Mescal as the Bard, Jessie Buckley as Agnes, and Joe Alwyn in a supporting role – and signals a film that blends intimate grief with sweeping period spectacle.
Trailer Unveiled – What We Saw
The short but emotionally charged cut opens on a mist‑laden Stratford‑upon‑Avon garden, where a young Hamnet Shakespeare (played by Noah Jupe) runs with carefree abandon. The next beat cuts to a stark, candle‑lit bedroom where Jessie Buckley's Agnes whispers, “Tell me a story. What story would you like?” The dialogue, ripped straight from the novel, morphs into a haunting exchange about memory and touch that underlines the film’s central theme: how loss shapes creation.
Visually, Zhao opts for muted earth tones punctuated by sudden bursts of color – a red scarf, a sunrise over the Thames – a palette that Max Richter (who composed the score, also marked up below) reinforces with swells of string that echo his earlier work on Arrival. Early viewers on social media described the trailer as "breathtaking" and "so natural that every moment feels real," with particular praise for Mescal’s understated intensity as he recites lines from Hamlet while grieving his son.
From Page to Screen – Zhao, O'Farrell, and the Creative Team
The adaptation is a rare collaboration between the director and the author. Maggie O'Farrell, who penned the 2020 novel that won the Women’s Prize for Fiction, co‑wrote the screenplay with Zhao, ensuring that the book’s lyrical prose survives the shift to visual storytelling. In a recent interview, O'Farrell explained, "We wanted to keep the intimacy of Agnes’s inner world, but also give audiences the cinematic sweep of a Shakespearean tragedy."
Production design, led by award‑winning art director Laurie Borg, reconstructs early‑17th‑century England with painstaking accuracy – from timber‑framed homes to the bustling market squares. The film’s visual language is decidedly modern, though, as Zhao herself noted in a press briefing: "I’m not trying to recreate a museum piece; I’m trying to surface the emotions that still feel relevant today."
Star Power – Mescal, Buckley, and the Ensemble
At the heart of the film is Paul Mescal. After his breakout as Connell in Normal People, Mescal has been on a rapid ascent, and his embodiment of Shakespeare has already drawn rave comments from industry insiders. "He brings a raw, vulnerable edge to a figure we usually see as larger than life," said a confidential insider.
Opposite him, Jessie Buckley tackles Agnes with a mix of stoic dignity and cracking sorrow. Buckley, who earned an Oscar nomination for The Lost Daughter, said in a press interview, "Agnes is the unseen author of Hamlet – her grief writes the play as much as any quill." Supporting actors – including Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and a teenage Noah Jupe – add depth to the family dynamic, illustrating how each member copes differently.
Production Muscle – Spielberg, Mendes, and the Studios
Behind the glittering cast lies a heavyweight production slate. Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes, both acclaimed directors turned producers, are listed among the film’s executive producers. Their involvement signals a vote of confidence and grants the project access to top‑tier resources, including the involvement of Amblin Entertainment and Focus Features (U.S. distribution) and Universal Pictures (U.K.).
Financially, the film is backed by a consortium that includes producer‑executive Liza Marshall (p.g.a.) and Pippa Harris, ensuring a budget that comfortably accommodates period costumes, location shoots in Warwickshire, and a score by Max Richter. The composer’s contribution, especially the re‑working of his piece “On the Nature of Daylight,” adds a haunting leitmotif that will likely become synonymous with the film’s emotional arc.
Festival Debut and Release Plans
The film’s world premiere is set for the 2025 Toronto International Film FestivalToronto, marking the festival’s 50th anniversary. Organizers have already allocated a prime evening slot, underscoring the buzz surrounding the picture.
After TIFF, Hamnet will roll out in staggered dates: November 27, 2025 in the United States (Focus Features), December 12, 2025 in the United Kingdom (Universal Pictures), and January 9, 2026 in select European territories. A limited‑release strategy—starting with 12 major cities before expanding—mirrors the rollout of recent prestige dramas like All Quiet on the Western Front. The marketing push includes official accounts on Instagram (@hamnetmovie), Twitter (@hamnetmovie), and a dedicated website (hamnetmovie.co.uk), where fans can watch behind‑the‑scenes clips and read director’s notes.
Why This Film Matters
Beyond its star‑studded pedigree, Hamnet tackles a timeless question: how personal tragedy feeds artistic genius. By foregrounding Agnes—historically a shadowy figure—the film flips the usual Shakespeare‑centric narrative and invites audiences to consider the unseen labor behind the world’s greatest plays. Critics predict that the movie will spark renewed scholarly debate about the real-life inspirations for Hamlet, potentially reshaping how curricula address Elizabethan drama.
In an industry increasingly dominated by franchise tentpoles, Hamnet stands out as a prestige‑drama that promises both box‑office appeal and awards‑season relevance. With its blend of cinematic craftsmanship, a celebrated cast, and the backing of Hollywood royalty, the film could become the season’s biggest sleeper hit.
- Director: Chloé Zhao
- Source material: Hamnet novel by Maggie O'Farrell
- Lead cast: Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Joe Alwyn
- Producers: Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes
- Score: Max Richter
- Festival premiere: Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 12‑22, 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will Hamnet be released?
The film bows at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (Sept 12‑22). It hits U.S. theatres on Nov 27, 2025 via Focus Features, reaches the U.K. on Dec 12, 2025 through Universal Pictures, and rolls out to select European markets on Jan 9, 2026.
How closely does the movie follow O'Farrell’s novel?
Co‑writer Maggie O'Farrell worked directly with Zhao on the screenplay, preserving the book’s lyrical interior monologue while trimming subplots for runtime. Key scenes, like Agnes’s garden dialogues, appear almost verbatim.
What makes Paul Mescal’s portrayal of Shakespeare unique?
Mescal opts for a subdued, almost haunted presence, emphasizing Shakespeare’s grief rather than his legendary confidence. Early viewers note his soft-spoken delivery of famous soliloquies feels rooted in personal loss, aligning with the film’s premise that personal tragedy fuels artistic creation.
Why is the involvement of Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes significant?
Both Spielberg and Mendes bring decades of storytelling expertise and financial muscle, ensuring high production values and a wide distribution network. Their producer credits also signal industry confidence that the film can compete for awards while reaching mainstream audiences.
How does the film’s score contribute to its emotional tone?
Max Richter weaves his signature minimalist strings with a re‑imagined version of “On the Nature of Daylight,” creating a mournful backdrop that mirrors the characters’ inner turmoil. Critics suggest the music will become as iconic as the film’s visuals.
