The debate over Hamnet, explained

The Film That Won't Quit: A Meditation on Hamnet

In recent weeks, the film "Hamnet" has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its powerful portrayal of grief and loss. Directed by Chloé Zhao, the movie is an adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's novel about Shakespeare's son who died at 11. The film follows Agnes, Hamnet's mother, as she navigates her grief and finds solace in the words of her late husband, Will (Shakespeare).

As we watch "Hamnet," it becomes clear that this movie is not just a tribute to Shakespeare but also an exploration of the universal human experience of grief. The film raises fundamental questions about how we deal with death and why humans need art.

One question at the heart of the debate over "Hamnet" is whether the film's portrayal of grief is moving, or if it comes across as manipulative schlock. Critics have expressed mixed views on this matter. Justin Chang's review for The New Yorker notes that while he was emotionally moved by the film, it also raised questions about its effectiveness as a work of art.

Chang describes the movie as "elemental," but asks whether it is simply "highly effective grief porn." He praises Zhao's ability to evoke strong emotions from the audience but also suggests that this impact may be fleeting if audiences lose faith in the film.

Other critics, such as Alissa Wilkinson for The New York Times, have described "Hamnet" as an "ardent and searing" work of art. Wilkinson acknowledges that the film can be overwhelming at times, but ultimately believes it is a powerful exploration of grief and its effects on individuals and communities.

Despite the mixed reviews, many audiences have been deeply affected by "Hamnet." The film has sparked intense conversations about the nature of grief, the role of art in processing emotions, and the ways in which we respond to tragic events.

At its core, "Hamnet" is a meditation on the human experience. It asks us to consider how we deal with our own grief and that of others, as well as the power of art to heal and connect us.

The film's portrayal of Agnes Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife, is particularly noteworthy. Played by Jessie Buckley, Agnes represents the feminine, earthy, emotional, and nourishing qualities that are often overlooked in favor of more traditional male figures.

While some critics have noted that the film's characters sometimes feel like archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals, this can also be seen as a strength. "Hamnet" is not trying to create a new Shakespeare; it is using his work as a starting point for its own exploration of grief and loss.

Ultimately, whether or not "Hamnet" is considered great art may depend on individual perspectives. However, its emotional impact cannot be denied.

When asked about the film's portrayal of grief, Zhao emphasized the importance of finding balance between opposing forces. She wants her characters to exist in a yin-yang balance of life and death, pain and beauty. In "Hamnet," this balance is achieved through Agnes's journey, as she slowly comes to terms with the loss of her son.

The film's conclusion shows us Agnes finally seeing Will's play for the first time: Hamlet. She is outraged but ultimately succumbs to its power and finds solace in it.

In this moment, the boundaries between reality and art dissolve, creating a beautiful fusion of emotions. It's a testament to the enduring power of art to heal, connect, and transcend our individual experiences.

While "Hamnet" may not be perfect, its emotional force is undeniable. Whether or not it achieves greatness as a work of art will continue to be debated by critics and audiences alike.

I just watched this movie "Hamnet" and I gotta say, it's giving me all the feels . I love how it tackles grief and loss in such a real way - it's not shy about showing us how hard it can be to deal with those emotions. But at the same time, it's also super hopeful, you know? It shows Agnes finding solace in Will's words and art, and that's just so beautiful . I think what resonated with me most is how the film makes us consider our own relationships with grief - whether we're dealing with it ourselves or trying to support others who are going through it. And I love how the director, Chloé Zhao, balanced out all these complex emotions with this gorgeous cinematography and music . Of course, like any film, it's not perfect, but I think that's what makes it so special - it's a work of art that feels deeply human .

omg i just watched hamnet and i'm shook the way chloé zhao directed it is like magic but seriously though, i think it's a super powerful exploration of grief and loss it's not just about shakespeare's son, it's about how we all deal with our own emotional pain

i love how the film shows agnes's journey from being consumed by grief to finding solace in her husband's words it's like she's slowly coming back to life and that final scene where she watches will's play for the first time... *chills* it's like the boundaries between reality and art just dissolve and you're left with this beautiful, overwhelming emotion

critics are gonna keep debating whether or not hamnet is "great art" but i say, who cares? it's made me feel so many emotions and think about my own grief in a way that's helped me process it all we can do is watch the film, nod our heads in solidarity with agnes, and let the tears flow

The thing that really gets me about this film is how it highlights the importance of human connection in times of grief . I think we can all relate to feeling lost and alone after losing someone close, but "Hamnet" shows us that art can be a powerful tool to help us process those emotions . The way Agnes finds solace in her late husband's words is so beautiful and relatable - it's like the film is saying that even in our darkest moments, there is always beauty to be found . And I love how the director, Chloé Zhao, uses the yin-yang balance idea to show us that life and death are not mutually exclusive, but intertwined . It's a really powerful message and one that I think we could all benefit from

gotta say, I'm really feeling this movie's vibe. it's like, you know when you're watching something and it just speaks to you on a deeper level? that's what "hamnet" is all about for me. it's not just some historical drama with a famous guy at the center; it's about the human experience, you feel? it's raw, it's emotional, and it's real. I think what resonates with people is that it's not afraid to tackle those hard topics like grief and loss. and yeah, maybe it can come across as heavy-handed or manipulative at times, but for me, that's part of its power

I gotta say, I think what's so interesting about this film is how it taps into our collective grief experience . As someone who's been through some tough times, I can appreciate the raw emotion that "Hamnet" brings to the table. At the same time, I can see why some people might find it a bit too much - all that Shakespearean drama and angst can be overwhelming .

For me, the film's portrayal of Agnes is what makes it truly special. She's this complex, multifaceted character who represents so much of what we experience as women in our grief journeys . And Jessie Buckley does an amazing job bringing her to life on screen.

I love how the film explores the intersection of art and grief - it's like, our emotions are constantly shifting between the two, right? One minute you're numb, the next you're overwhelmed . It's this beautiful dance between life and death that "Hamnet" captures so beautifully.

But yeah, at the end of the day, whether or not it's a masterpiece is up for debate . But what I do know is that it'll be stuck in my head for a while - those themes of grief, loss, and healing are gonna linger long after the credits roll .

the thing that really gets me about hamnet is how it portrays agnes as the heart of the story . i mean, she's the one who's grieving and trying to find her way through the loss of her son, and it feels so real and relatable. at the same time, there are moments where it feels like shakespeare's words are being used as a crutch for agnes's character development. like, we get it, she's struggling with grief, but can't we also see more depth to her personality beyond that?

I don't usually comment but this film really got me thinking about grief in a different way... I mean, we've all experienced loss at some point or another, but it's how we process it that matters . The movie shows how Agnes finds solace in her late husband's words and art, which is so relatable . But what struck me was the way the film balances the pain of grief with beauty and life... it's like they're saying, even in darkness, there's still room for light . I'm not sure if I'd call it great art or not, but its emotional impact is undeniable .

I think people are being way too harsh on this film . I mean, sure, some parts can feel a bit manipulative, but that's kinda the point - to make you feel all those emotions! It's not always easy to watch, but that's what makes it so impactful . I love how it explores the universal human experience of grief and how art can help us process our emotions . Agnes is such a complex character, and I think Jessie Buckley does an amazing job bringing her to life . Some people might say the characters feel like archetypes, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - it just means they're relatable on a deeper level . Overall, I think "Hamnet" is a beautiful, emotional journey that will stay with you long after the credits roll .

I'm totally obsessed with this film ! I mean, can you even put into words the emotions that "Hamnet" evokes? For me, it's like watching Agnes's journey is a mirror held up to my own experiences with grief . The way Zhao balances the light and dark moments in the film is just masterful . It's not an easy watch, but trust me when I say that it's worth it . And Jessie Buckley's performance? Mind-blowing ! She brings so much depth to Agnes, making her feel like a fully fleshed-out person rather than just a character. Anyway, if you haven't seen "Hamnet" yet, do yourself a favor and grab some tissues... or several .

I gotta say, I was really moved by this film, but at the same time, I can see why some people might find it a bit too much . I mean, it's like, on one hand, the emotional impact is real, you know? But then, on the other hand, it feels like the movie is just kinda... hitting you over the head with all the emotions .

And don't even get me started on Agnes - Jessie Buckley does an amazing job of bringing her to life, but sometimes I felt like she was more of a symbol than a fully fleshed-out person . That being said, maybe that's the point? Maybe "Hamnet" isn't trying to create a new Shakespeare, but rather use his work as a starting point for its own exploration of grief and loss.

Chloé Zhao is definitely on something special here though . I love how she balances the opposing forces of life and death, pain and beauty. It's like, you can feel the yin-yang energy emanating from every frame .

But what really got me thinking was the ending - when Agnes sees Hamlet for the first time and finally finds solace in it. It's like... that boundary between reality and art is literally dissolved, and it creates this beautiful fusion of emotions . That's some next-level filmmaking right there!

I think what's really striking about this film is how it forces us to confront our own relationship with grief. We tend to talk about it like it's something that can be managed or overcome, but "Hamnet" shows us that it's a fundamental part of the human experience. It makes us question why we create art in the first place - is it to escape our pain, or to find meaning in it?

And I love how the film portrays Agnes as this powerful, emotional center who is often overlooked in favor of more traditional male figures. She's like a grounding force that keeps Will's grief from spiraling out of control. It's like she represents the earthy, feminine energy that's essential to our well-being.

But what really gets me about "Hamnet" is how it shows us that art can be both beautiful and painful at the same time. The film doesn't shy away from depicting Agnes's raw emotion, but it also finds ways to balance out that pain with moments of beauty and hope. It's like the film is saying that we don't have to choose between our emotions and our connection to something bigger than ourselves - we can find a way to integrate them both.

I watched Hamnet with my friends in our school's drama club . We all loved how the film portrayed grief as an incredibly relatable human experience, you know when someone loses a loved one it really makes you think about your own mortality . I'm not gonna lie though, some parts felt kinda manipulative, like they were hitting us over the head with the emotions . But overall, I think it's a powerful film that explores how art can be both healing and overwhelming at the same time . The way Agnes's character is depicted as this strong, emotional woman is also really inspiring for me . What do you guys think? Should we analyze more films like Hamnet in class ?

omg u gotta think about wot's baaaaad... the film hamnet just makes me wonder wot other movies r trying 2 manipulate us 2 feel certain emotions or wether they re just 2 exploit ppl's grief . like, is it really 2 much 2 ask 4 a movie 2 not make u feel uncomfortable or happy, but also 2 reflect real life in a way that feels authentic? maybe its just the critic's perspective, but i think zhao wnt 2 show us that grief isnt always pretty or neat . and that art can b both painful & beautiful at ths same time

I think what really resonates about this movie is how raw and honest it feels. Like, we're all going through this thing called grief together, and yet everyone's experiences are so different. I love how the film doesn't shy away from showing Agnes's pain, but also her growth and resilience. Jessie Buckley's performance as Agnes is stunning - she brings this vulnerability and strength that just draws you in. And can we talk about how beautifully the film captures the complexity of Will Shakespeare's relationship with his son? It's like, we get to see a new side of him through Hamnet's story...

I totally feel like this film hits so close to home . I mean, grief is such a weird and universal thing that we all go through at some point. And the way they portray Agnes's emotional journey from numbness to acceptance is just so... raw . I think what resonates with me most is how art can be this powerful tool for processing emotions, but also for avoiding them . Like, Agnes finds comfort in her husband's words, but it's also super clear that she's still hurting. It's like, we're all just trying to navigate these messy feelings and find some sort of balance, right?

omg i just watched hamnet for like 3 times already chloe zhao is literally the queen of capturing grief and loss on film, her direction is so nuanced and emotional maggie o'farrell's novel was a great starting point but zhao took it to another level, making it feel so personal and raw the way she portrayed agnes and hamnet's relationship had me sobbing uncontrollably, i need more of this in my life the film's themes of art healing and connection are so important, and zhao's portrayal of will's influence on agnes is everything can't wait to rewatch again and see all the layers I missed

I think what's interesting about this film is how it taps into the universal human experience of grief . It's one thing to read about someone else's emotional journey, but when you're sitting in a dark theater watching it on screen, it can feel so much more real .

The casting of Jessie Buckley as Agnes Hathaway is also noteworthy . She brings such depth and nuance to the character, making her feel like a fully fleshed-out person rather than just an archetypal representation .

At the same time, I can see why some critics might find the film's portrayal of grief feeling overwhelming or manipulative . It's not always easy to watch, and it can be uncomfortable when you're forced to confront your own emotions head-on .

Overall, though, I think "Hamnet" is a powerful exploration of the human experience . It raises so many fundamental questions about how we deal with death, grief, and art . And while it may not be perfect, its emotional force is undeniable .

I think what's really interesting about "Hamnet" is how it taps into our collective grief as a society . We've all lost someone we love at some point, and this film asks us to confront those emotions head-on. But it also highlights the power of art to process those feelings in a way that feels authentic and cathartic .

I mean, let's be real, not everyone will relate to Shakespeare's life, but the way the film uses his work as a starting point for its own exploration of grief is genius . It's like the film is saying, "Hey, I get it, you're hurting, and here's some art that might help you feel less alone." And that, to me, is what makes "Hamnet" so powerful .

Of course, not everyone will agree on its artistic merit, but for me, it's about the emotional resonance, not just the technicalities . Zhao has done something special with this film, and I think we can all learn from its exploration of grief and loss .

honestly i think whats most moving about hamnet is how it makes you feel afterwards ... like u gotta take time 2 process ur emotions n accept dat grief is part of life ... its not always easy 2 watch but thats what makes it so impactful ... personally i felt seen when agnes was struggling 2 cope wit her loss ... its a powerful reminder that art can be therapeutic n help us heal