Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Chloé Zhao’s ‘Hamnet’ Draws Rave Early Reviews as Limited Release Begins

Early reviews exalt the leads, with meticulous craft helping to signal awards momentum.

Overview

  • Critics from TheWrap and the Chicago Reader laud the film as one of the year’s standout releases, emphasizing its emotional impact without revealing key turns.
  • Jessie Buckley’s Agnes and Paul Mescal’s William Shakespeare earn career‑best notices for grounded, deeply felt performances.
  • Reviewers highlight Zhao’s restrained direction and the contributions of production designer Fiona Crombie, cinematographer Łukasz Żal, sound designer Maximilian Behrens and composer Max Richter.
  • The film is now playing in a limited U.S. theatrical rollout, with a wider domestic expansion planned for December.
  • Coverage underscores the HamnetHamlet linkage at the story’s core, while reporting differs on the child actor’s credit, naming either Jacobi Jupe or Noah Jupe.