Paul Mescal and his wife Jessie Buckley in Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” trailer.

A Fresh Look at Shakespeare Through Chloé Zhao’s Vision

The world has long been fascinated by the life and works of William Shakespeare, but now acclaimed director Chloé Zhao is offering a new perspective with her upcoming film Hamnet. Starring Paul Mescal as Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes Shakespeare, the film adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s internationally acclaimed novel into a visually rich and emotionally charged feature.

The teaser trailer for Hamnet has been released by Focus Features, igniting anticipation among audiences who are eager to see Zhao’s take on one of literature’s greatest untold love stories. The film will first arrive in select theaters on November 27, with a wide release on December 12.

Exploring the Untold Love Story of William and Agnes Shakespeare

At its heart, Hamnet tells the intimate and moving story of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, focusing on their love, grief, and resilience during a turbulent period in history. While Shakespeare’s plays have been celebrated for centuries, little is known about his personal life.

This adaptation offers audiences a fictionalized yet emotionally authentic exploration of Shakespeare’s family, particularly the tragic loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, in 1596. Many scholars have long speculated that this personal tragedy inspired Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet.

By bringing this narrative to the screen, Zhao and her cast shed light on the human experiences behind one of history’s greatest playwrights, moving beyond the myth to reveal the man, husband, and father.

Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in Leading Roles

Two of today’s most celebrated young actors, Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, headline the film.

• Paul Mescal, who rose to fame with his breakout performance in Normal People and later earned an Academy Award nomination for Aftersun, takes on the role of William Shakespeare. His portrayal promises to combine intelligence, passion, and vulnerability, showing both the genius and the humanity of the Bard.

• Jessie Buckley, an Academy Award nominee herself for The Lost Daughter, plays Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife. In the trailer, she embodies strength, wisdom, and poetic sensitivity, bringing to life a character often overlooked in Shakespeare’s legacy.

The chemistry between Mescal and Buckley is already evident in the trailer, where an exchange of words transforms into a poetic meditation:
“You touched me, and what did you see?” Mescal asks as Shakespeare.
“I saw a landscape,” Buckley replies, before painting a vision of “spaces, caves, tunnels and oceans, undiscovered countries. Deep dark black void.”

This dialogue sets the tone for a film that blends romance, tragedy, and profound lyricism.

A Talented Supporting Cast

The ensemble cast of Hamnet includes acclaimed performers who add depth to the story. Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn play pivotal roles, rounding out a cast that is both artistically acclaimed and audience-friendly.

This combination of seasoned talent and rising stars ensures that Zhao’s adaptation resonates with diverse audiences, from literary enthusiasts to casual moviegoers.

Maggie O’Farrell’s Acclaimed Novel Comes to Screen

The film is adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel, Hamnet, which won the Women’s Prize for Fiction and was praised worldwide for its poetic prose and emotional intensity.

Zhao co-wrote the screenplay alongside O’Farrell, ensuring that the adaptation remains faithful to the book’s spirit while also translating it into a cinematic experience. As Zhao explained in an interview:
“I was so surprised by how immersive and sensorial the book is — and not only that, but the book is written in a way that has almost the same heartbeat as how I would edit. Maggie has a very unique way of writing. It feels like images are being edited as I’m reading.”

This synergy between author and director suggests a film that will maintain the literary elegance of the novel while embracing the visual power of cinema.

Chloé Zhao’s Unique Directorial Vision

Chloé Zhao has established herself as one of the most distinctive filmmakers of her generation. Winning the Academy Award for Best Director for Nomadland in 2020, Zhao has shown a talent for blending intimate human stories with grand visual landscapes.

Her previous films, including The Rider and Eternals, demonstrate her ability to capture both realism and grandeur. With Hamnet, Zhao applies this vision to historical drama, promising a film that is both emotionally resonant and visually stunning.

By focusing on Shakespeare’s private life and grief, Zhao offers audiences something rarely explored in cinema — a deeply human Shakespeare, shaped by loss, love, and artistic inspiration.

Premiere and Awards Season Potential

Hamnet is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the most important stages for films aiming for awards recognition. Its TIFF debut will likely generate significant buzz ahead of its November release.

Given Zhao’s history with awards — including her historic Oscar win — and the powerhouse performances of Mescal and Buckley, industry experts anticipate that Hamnet will be a strong awards season contender.

A Powerful Production Team

Behind the scenes, Hamnet is supported by an impressive lineup of producers. The team includes Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, and Steven Spielberg. Zhao also serves as an executive producer alongside Kristie Macosko Krieger and Laurie Borg.

This heavyweight production backing reflects the confidence surrounding the project and its potential impact on both audiences and critics.

Why Hamnet Matters

The story of Hamnet is more than a historical drama — it is a reflection on family, love, and the ways in which personal grief can shape artistic genius. By focusing on Agnes Shakespeare as a central figure, the film also gives a voice to a woman whose story has often been sidelined in history.

In today’s cultural landscape, where audiences crave both authenticity and beauty in storytelling, Hamnet offers a rare combination: a literary adaptation that is both emotionally profound and visually cinematic.

Final Thoughts

The release of the Hamnet trailer marks the beginning of what promises to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. With Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley delivering compelling performances under the direction of Chloé Zhao, the film is poised to captivate audiences around the world.

Scheduled for a November 27 limited release and a December 12 wide release, Hamnet will undoubtedly be a highlight of the season, combining Shakespearean history, literary prestige, and cinematic artistry into one unforgettable experience.

As the film prepares to make its world debut at TIFF, all eyes will be on Zhao and her cast to see how they bring Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel to life on the big screen. One thing is clear: Hamnet is not just a film about Shakespeare’s grief — it is a timeless story of love, loss, and the enduring power of storytelling.