It’s been a while since we’ve had a Chloé Zhao film, let alone one of her peaceful, meditative gems such as the Oscar-winning Nomadland or the seren
It’s been a while since we’ve had a Chloé Zhao film, let alone one of her peaceful, meditative gems such as the Oscar-winning Nomadland or the serene and contemplative The Rider. Now, after a stint in the world of Marvel with Eternals, she’s back with something that feels more in line with her earlier features — though this time, she’s adapting a hit novel. The first trailer for her fresh film, Hamnet, has dropped, and for those who’ve read the book, you’ll know this one is going to be an emotional gut-punch. Watch the trailer here:
Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed 2020 novel, the film centres on William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes (aka Anne Hathaway), as they face the unimaginable loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. What follows is less a straightforward biopic of the writer and more a meditation on love, loss, and how tragedy can shape art — namely, the writing of Shakespeare’s play (you guessed it)… Hamlet.
The trailer doubles down on the romance at the story’s core, spotlighting its husband-and-wife duo: the internet’s boyfriend and recently-announced Beatles star Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, and The Lost Daughter and Wild Rose’s Jessie Buckley as Agnes. And honestly, why wouldn’t the filmmakers lean into “the untold love story” at the heart of it, especially with two leads that have been in such demand? Rounding out the cast are youthful Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet, along with Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson, Jack Shalloo, and David Wilmot. Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell herself, and the project comes backed by an impressive lineup of producers — including Zhao, Steven Spielberg, and Sam Mendes.
The film has not yet received a UK release date but will debut in the United States with a constrained release on 27 November, before expanding nationwide on 12 December. If the trailer is any indication, Zhao looks to have honoured O’Farrell’s novel while also adding her own signature style, and what a joy it is to have a Chloé Zhao film coming to our screens — though we have a feeling we’ll need a tissue or two for this one.
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