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Hamnet’s UK Release Draws Polarized Reviews as Awards Buzz Grows

Critics divide over Zhao’s departures from the novel, especially the Shakespeare‑forward approach.

Overview

  • Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, with O’Farrell co‑writing the screenplay.
  • Supporters praise Buckley’s performance, Zhao’s imagery, and Max Richter’s score, highlighting the film’s emotional impact.
  • Dissenting reviews describe the film as overly literal and emotionally manipulative, faulting explicit references to Shakespeare’s plays.
  • The ending has prompted explainers and discussion about its meaning, with coverage focusing on themes of grief and art without revealing plot details.
  • New reporting outlines filming in Herefordshire’s Weobley and Cwmmau Farmhouse, London’s Charterhouse, and Globe scenes shot on studio replicas rather than in Stratford-upon-Avon.