# Hamnet

> 2025 film directed by Chloé Zhao

**Wikidata**: [Q122741016](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122741016)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamnet_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hamnet

## Summary
Hamnet is a 2025 biographical drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, based on the novel by Maggie O'Farrell. The film dramatizes the life of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at age 11 in 1596.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Chloé Zhao, known for *Nomadland* (2020)
- Based on the novel *Hamnet* by Maggie O'Farrell
- Genre: Biographical drama, period drama
- Production companies: Amblin Partners, Neal Street Productions
- Release date: August 29, 2025 (United States)
- Runtime: 125 minutes
- Budget: $30,000,000
- IMDb ID: tt14905854
- Rotten Tomatoes rating: 86%
- Metacritic score: 868058
- Box office: $5,454,868 (worldwide as of November 2025)
- Languages: English
- Country of origin: United States, United Kingdom
- Cast includes: Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Bodhi Rae Breathnach

## FAQs
**What is the film *Hamnet* about?**
*Hamnet* is a biographical drama that explores the life and death of William Shakespeare's son, Hamnet, who died at age 11 in 1596. The film, directed by Chloé Zhao, is based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel and examines the impact of this loss on Shakespeare's family and work.

**Who directed *Hamnet* and what is their background?**
*Hamnet* is directed by Chloé Zhao, a Chinese filmmaker known for *Nomadland* (2020), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. Zhao is the first woman of color to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the first woman to win the Academy Award for Best Director.

**When was *Hamnet* released and how was it received?**
*Hamnet* was released on August 29, 2025, in the United States. The film received positive reviews, holding an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 868058. It grossed $5,454,868 worldwide as of November 2025.

**What is the budget and runtime of *Hamnet*?**
*Hamnet* had a production budget of $30,000,000 and has a runtime of 125 minutes.

**Who are the main cast members of *Hamnet*?**
The film stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in leading roles, with Bodhi Rae Breathnach also appearing in the cast.

## Why It Matters
*Hamnet* matters as a significant biographical drama that brings renewed attention to a lesser-known figure in literary history—the son of William Shakespeare. Directed by Chloé Zhao, one of contemporary cinema's most acclaimed filmmakers, the film represents a major artistic endeavor that bridges historical narrative with modern filmmaking sensibilities. Its exploration of grief, family, and the creative process offers audiences a deeply human perspective on one of history's most famous writers. The film's production by Amblin Partners and Neal Street Productions, combined with Zhao's distinctive directorial vision, positions it as a noteworthy entry in the period drama genre and a potential awards contender.

## Notable For
- Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao
- Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Maggie O'Farrell
- Explores the historically significant but often overlooked death of Shakespeare's son
- Features performances by acclaimed actors Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley
- Produced by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg's production company
- Represents Zhao's first period drama and English-language feature film
- Received positive critical reception with 86% Rotten Tomatoes score
- Explores themes of grief, family, and artistic creation

## Body

### Production and Development
*Hamnet* was developed as a major biographical drama project, with Chloé Zhao attached as director in 2023. The film is based on Maggie O'Farrell's 2020 novel *Hamnet*, which won the Women's Prize for Fiction. Production was handled by Amblin Partners, the production company founded by Steven Spielberg, and Neal Street Productions, known for *1917* and *The Crown*. Principal photography began in early 2024 in the United Kingdom, with filming taking place in Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding areas to capture authentic Elizabethan settings.

### Creative Team
Chloé Zhao serves as both director and screenwriter, adapting O'Farrell's novel for the screen. This marks Zhao's first period drama and her first feature film in English, following her previous works in contemporary settings. The film's cinematography is handled by Joshua James Richards, Zhao's frequent collaborator known for *Nomadland* and *The Rider*. The score is composed by Volker Bertelmann (Hauschka), who previously worked with Zhao on *Land* (2021).

### Cast and Characters
The film features Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway (Shakespeare's wife). Bodhi Rae Breathnach appears in a supporting role. The casting choices reflect a commitment to bringing contemporary acting talent to historical roles, with Mescal and Buckley both being recognized for their work in recent acclaimed productions.

### Historical Context and Setting
*Hamnet* is set in late 16th-century England, primarily in Stratford-upon-Avon and London. The film dramatizes the life of Hamnet Shakespeare, who died in 1596 at age 11, and explores the impact of this loss on his family, particularly his father William Shakespeare. The historical setting provides a backdrop for examining themes of grief, family dynamics, and the creative process during the Elizabethan era.

### Release and Distribution
The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, 2025, before its theatrical release in the United States on the same date. International releases followed throughout September and October 2025. Distributed by Universal Pictures, the film's release strategy positioned it for both critical attention and awards season consideration.

### Critical Reception
*Hamnet* received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise directed at Zhao's direction, the performances of Mescal and Buckley, and the film's emotional depth. The 86% Rotten Tomatoes score indicates strong critical approval, while the Metacritic score of 868058 suggests favorable reviews from mainstream critics. The film's exploration of historical themes through a contemporary lens was particularly noted by reviewers.

### Box Office Performance
As of November 2025, *Hamnet* has grossed $5,454,868 worldwide against its $30,000,000 production budget. While not a major commercial success, the film's performance is considered respectable for a period drama with limited mainstream appeal. The box office figures reflect both the film's niche subject matter and its targeted release strategy.

### Genre Classification
*Hamnet* is classified as a biographical drama and period drama film. These genre classifications reflect its focus on historical figures and events, combined with dramatic storytelling techniques. The film's approach to biographical material emphasizes emotional truth and character development over strict historical documentation.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 125 minutes, positioning it as a standard-length feature film. Shot on location in the United Kingdom, the production utilized both historical sites and constructed sets to recreate Elizabethan England. The technical aspects of the film, including cinematography, production design, and costume design, work together to create an immersive historical experience.

### Cultural Significance
*Hamnet* contributes to the ongoing cultural interest in Shakespeare and his family, offering a perspective that focuses on personal tragedy rather than literary achievement. By examining the death of Shakespeare's son, the film provides insight into the human experiences that may have influenced one of history's greatest writers. This approach to biographical storytelling reflects contemporary interests in understanding historical figures as complex individuals rather than solely through their achievements.

## References

1. IMDb
2. [Source](https://goldenglobes.com/winners-nominees/)
3. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt14905854/releaseinfo)
4. [Source](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/hamnet-release-date-paul-mescal-chloe-zhao-1236377093/)
5. Terjesztésre kerülő filmalkotások és artfilmek nyilvántartása
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/releaseinfo/)
7. [Bulletin No: 2907. Motion Picture Association. 2025](https://www.filmratings.com/Content/Downloads/cara_rating_bulletin.pdf)
8. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/fskkarte.asp?pvid=8212596)
9. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/technical/)
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/)
11. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14905854/parentalguide/#certificates)
12. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/hamnet-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmynde3)
13. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/hamnet/)
14. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2025&s_month=10&e_year=2025&e_month=10&pageID=2)
15. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/166715)
16. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/CatalogoICAA/info/220225/1/34/209.pdf)
17. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAgZnAAAAAAGf4AAM)
18. [Source](https://www.filmvurdering.medieraadet.dk/vurderinger/130453)
19. [Source](https://www.ifco.ie/en/ifco/pages/428BF31400533AD3)