Hamlet review – Riz Ahmed's tortured prince drives chilling modern take through London's streets

A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Hamlet has been met with both praise and criticism in London. The new adaptation, helmed by director Aneil Karia and screenwriter Michael Lesslie, strips down the classic text to its bare essentials, transposing it into a stark and severe world of shady family business and dysfunction.

Riz Ahmed stars as the tortured Prince Hamlet, whose inner turmoil is matched only by his exterior. Haunted by the ghostly vision of his dead father, who reveals himself to be murdered by his brother Claudius, Hamlet's mind begins to unravel as he navigates a complex web of family deceit and betrayal.

The London streets become a character in their own right, serving as a backdrop for the dark and twisted machinations of Claudius (Art Malik), a ruthless property speculator who seeks to marry Hamlet's mother, Gertrude (Sheeba Chaddha). This modern take on the classic tale strips away the opulence of the original, instead opting for a gritty realism that underscores the brutal truth of human nature.

Timothy Spall brings his trademark menace to Polonius, while Morfydd Clark shines as Ophelia, whose descent into madness is all too familiar. The supporting cast delivers solid performances across the board, with Joe Alwyn bringing a sense of vulnerability to Laertes.

While some critics have argued that certain elements of the original text have been lost in translation, Ahmed's performance is undeniably compelling. His Hamlet is a complex, conflicted individual, driven by self-loathing and a desire for justice. The film's bold decision to omit soliloquies has its drawbacks, but the emotional intensity of Ahmed's delivery more than makes up for it.

Ultimately, this modern retelling of Hamlet raises essential questions about the nature of truth and perception. Can we truly know who is guilty or innocent? Is the ghostly apparition a manifestation of Hamlet's own guilt-ridden psyche? The film's chilling conclusion leaves us wondering, with a sense of unease that lingers long after the credits roll.

This intelligent and focused adaptation is a must-see for fans of Shakespeare and anyone interested in exploring the darker corners of human psychology. It is a thought-provoking and visually stunning interpretation that will leave you questioning everything about the classic tale.

I just saw this new Hamlet movie and I gotta say, it's pretty interesting . The way they've adapted the story to fit a modern setting is actually quite brilliant . Riz Ahmed as Hamlet is really compelling, he brings so much depth to the character . But what I think is really cool about this retelling is how it raises questions about truth and perception . Like, can we ever truly know who's guilty or innocent? It's making me think about all sorts of things...

another theatre adaptation to add to the list... the original text just gets whittled down like it's made of paper , leaving more room for directors to take creative liberties that sometimes end up being more cringeworthy than thought-provoking . how much of Shakespeare's genius can be lost in translation?

You know what really got me thinking after reading this news? The way it highlights how our perceptions of truth can be so skewed by our own biases and emotions . Like, we're conditioned to trust the ghostly apparition as a literal representation of Hamlet's father's spirit, but is that even possible? Is it just a manifestation of his own paranoid mind? It makes me wonder about the reliability of our own inner voices, you know?

And I think this adaptation really nails how trauma can affect someone's mental state. Riz Ahmed's performance as Hamlet is so raw and emotional – he fully embodies the complexity and pain that comes with being a human being . It's like, we see ourselves in his character, even if it's just for a split second.

But what I love most about this modern take on Hamlet is how it strips away all the pretenses and opulence of the original. It's like, let's get real here – human nature is messy and brutal, but that's what makes it so fascinating .

i can totally feel how intense hamlet's struggle is... like, who hasn't felt like they're stuck in their own personal hell sometimes? it's crazy how this adaptation still manages to make the themes of truth and perception so relevant today riz ahmed brings such depth to his character, it's like he's speaking directly to your soul and that ending... *shiver* it's like, what even is real anymore? anyway, i think this modern retelling is a masterclass in psychological drama gotta see it ASAP

I think this modern retelling of Hamlet is so intense , it's like they took all the dark emotions and twisted them into this gritty reality . The way Riz Ahmed plays Hamlet is just wow, he's like a ticking time bomb of emotions . And I'm loving how they've kept it real with the London streets, it's like they're reflecting our own city's problems back at us . But I can see why some people might miss the soliloquies, maybe that's just part of the original charm?

I gotta say, I'm loving this modern take on Hamlet ! Riz Ahmed is insane as Prince Hamlet, bringin' so much depth to the character . I mean, who wouldn't wanna see a gritty realism version of Shakespeare's masterpiece? The way they've stripped down the story and focused on the human nature bits is pure genius . And that ending though... it's like, what's real and what's just Hamlet's paranoia? Still, I'm here for it . It's like a psychological thriller, but with iambic pentameter . Kudos to the director and screenwriter for makin' this thought-provoking adaptation happen !

I'm low-key obsessed with this new Hamlet adaptation! I love how they've stripped away all the fancy costumes and set it in the gritty London streets, it's so refreshing to see Shakespeare's story told in a more raw way . Riz Ahmed is giving me life as Prince Hamlet, his performance is so complex and emotional, it's like he's speaking straight to my soul . And I'm loving how they're raising questions about truth and perception, it's like the film is saying "hmm, what's really going on here?" . The cast is also killing it, Morfydd Clark as Ophelia is so hauntingly beautiful . Overall, this modern retelling of Hamlet is a must-watch for anyone who loves Shakespeare or just wants to explore the darker side of human nature .

I'm not sure if I'd call it a success, tbh . I mean, they took all the juicy drama out of Hamlet and left him with just... nothing . No soliloquies? What's left to make the character come alive? And don't even get me started on the 'modern retelling' part... it sounds like a lazy attempt to make something old seem new again . The only thing that got me was how well Riz Ahmed played Hamlet, but even that can't save this film from being a bit of a mess in my opinion .