Lizo MzimbaEntertainment correspondent
Agata Grzybowska/Focus Features
The highly-anticipated film Hamnet, featuring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, delves deep into a wide spectrum of emotions, encompassing both joy and sorrow. The narrative begins with a young William Shakespeare falling in love with Agnes, the historical figure known as Anne Hathaway, and traces the profound grief stemming from a family tragedy.
While the film reflects on the somber inspirations behind one of Shakespeare’s masterpieces, Hamlet, it highlights Agnes’s character, placing her at the story’s center rather than merely depicting her as the playwright’s wife. Jessie Buckley states, “She embodies the multifaceted identity of a woman,” emphasizing the depth and capacity of women as partners, mothers, and individuals in their own right.
Hamnet is based on the best-selling novel by Maggie O’Farrell, published in 2020. Buckley rose to fame after competing in BBC One’s talent show I’d Do Anything in 2008, securing a second place. Since then, she has earned accolades for roles ranging from an aspiring singer in Wild Rose to a struggling mother in The Lost Daughter, receiving both Bafta and Oscar nominations.
The emotional core of the film rests on the relationship between Agnes and her son Hamnet, pushing Buckley into new depths of emotional exploration. Feeling “conscious and scared” about her portrayal, she admits the challenges of connecting authentically to a character without having experienced motherhood herself. Yet, she recognizes a universal understanding of love that guides her performance.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao, known for her Oscar-winning work in Nomadland, Hamnet also features performances by Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and Jacobi Jupe. The film has garnered generally positive reviews, with critics praising Buckley’s stunning portrayal. The Telegraph’s Robbie Collin hailed it as a perfect adaptation, while others acknowledged Buckley’s performance as “magical.” However, some critiques pointed to the film’s emotional overtures as somewhat predictable.
As the emotional centerpiece, the film culminates at the Globe Theatre, where Agnes fervently watches the premiere of Hamlet. Buckley described the challenges of this pivotal scene, feeling overwhelmed and lost initially. Ultimately, she found that the experience mirrored Agnes’s storyline of navigating through confusion and despair. With the film releasing in UK cinemas on 9 January, Buckley reflects on her hopes for audience connection and the joy of celebrating their shared journey.
