Studio: Universal
Release Date: March 3, 2026
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4/5
Plot Based on Maggie O’Farrell’s New York Times bestselling novel,
Hamnet tells the untold story behind one of Shakespeare’s most memorable works,
Hamlet. It is an inspiring journey of love and the creative brilliance that shaped a legacy and became Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece. Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal artfully portrays William Shakespeare with emotional vulnerability and intensity, while Jessie Buckley’s Golden Globe winning performance as his wife Agnes has been hailed as “the performance of a liteme—and for all time” (AFI).
My Thoughts I found the first act of
Hamnet to be very slow and dare I say, boring, and I wasn’t connecting with the two main characters. My wife wasn’t either, but thankfully we stuck with it because the last hour of the film is extremely emotional and powerful—one of the most gut-wrenching sequences I’ve seen in years. One thing to keep in mind is the film is historical fiction and doesn’t come from a history book. Yes, there are some factual moments such as Shakespeare’s marriage to Agnes (her name was actually Anne Hathaway, but her father referred to her as Agnes in his will). Also, the pair did have three children, but there’s no historical record of Hamlet’s story being based on events surrounding his son Hamnet’s life (Hamnet and Hamlet were interchangeable names during the time period).
Jessie Buckley’s performance should win her and Oscar—her portrayal of Agnes’s grief is raw and devastatingly real, carrying the emotional weight of the entire third act. Paul Mescal is solid as the younger Shakespeare, though his performance isn’t nearly as flawless as his costar’s. The film is very good, but I’m not sure if it’s the best picture of the year, although it is by far the most emotionally jarring. Be sure to have a box of tissues nearby because you’ll need them in Act 3—a lot of them! The slow build pays off in a finale that hits like a Mike Tyson uppercut, turning quiet period piece into something profoundly moving.
The digitally shot production is very polished from beginning to end in the visuals department. The 1.85:1 image exhibits exquisite detail in candlelit interiors, rural English landscapes, and the texture in the period costumes. Skin tones are natural and lifelike, colors are rich, and contrast is spot-on with inky blacks and bright highlights that reveal every shadow in dimly lit scenes.
The Dolby Atmos track is solid, but far from perfect. Dialog intelligibility suffers throughout the first act of the film, but I think it’s more due to the actor’s mumbling their lines versus the sound not being captured properly. I actually resorted to turning the subtitles on for the first 30 minutes of the film to understand what was being said. Fortunately, things improved for the last three quarters of the film. Positives from the track are its very atmospheric, especially when in the English countryside with chirping birds and rustling leaves enveloping in the room. Furthermore, rain storms sound very authentic with the pattering of rain drops on thatch roofs and the rushing of water down the unpaved streets.
Video 10/10
Audio 8.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:- Family is Forever
- Cultivating Creativity
- Recreating the Tudor Period
- Director’s Commentary with Chloe Zhao
- UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy
Conclusion As with most new releases these days, this is a technically sound release with reference-quality video and a solid audio presentation. The first act was almost too slow of burn for my wife and I, but I’m glad we kept with it because the final hour is unforgettable and emotionally jarring. Jessie Buckley’s performance is awards-worthy, and if you’re prepared to shed a tear, this is one of the most moving dramas I’ve watched in years. This is easy to recommend for anyone who values character-driven storytelling over wiz-bang special effects, but be sure to bring the tissues with you—you’ll definitely need them.
Reference Review System: JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized
Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
5 Replies
484 Views