Chloé Zhao already won Best Picture and Best Director Oscars for her 2020 film, “Nomadland.” Will she win either award again for “Hamnet“?
Don’t be surprised if Zhao does. Since “Hamnet” had its world premiere at Telluride, it’s quickly become one of the buzziest movies ahead of the 2025 awards season. Critics are raving about the historical drama, and after winning the TIFF 2025‘s People’s Choice Award last month, it’s alongside Paul Thomas Anderson‘s “One Battle After Another” as an Oscar favorite.
Based on Maggie O’Farrell‘s 2020 novel of the same name, “Hamnet” stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, whose shared grief with his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley) over the loss of their son inspires one of his greatest achievements.
Here’s an official synopsis for Zhao’s latest, courtesy of Focus Features:
From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, HAMNET tells the powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.
“Hamnet” also stars Joe Alwyn, Emily Watson, David Wilmot, Jacobi Jupe, and Olivia Lynes.
Along with directing, Zhao adapts O’Farrell’s novel for the big screen with the novelist. Producers on the film include Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, and Steven Spielberg. Zhao also executive produces with Krite Macosko Krieger, and Laurie Borg.
“Hamnet” hits select theaters on November 27 before opening nationwide on December 12. Watch a trailer for the drama below.
