HAMNET(2025)

Hamnet is a cathartic exploration of grief and its relation to art. Its themes of grief, motherhood, and the expression of grief resonate heavily in the modern cultural and social landscape of the post-COVID era. It fits right into Chloe Zhao's oeuvre.

A lot of the critical discussion surrounding Hamnet appears to be its idea of "emotionally manipulative" for audiences. However, it feels odd to call out Hamnet for it. As major film critic Roger Ebert pointed out, "Cinema generates empathy."

Hamnet's treatment of grief and misery feels sensitive in its treatment and is earned with great performances and sentimentality. In fact, Hamnet's treatment of grief is less voyeuristic and more of a lyrical exploration of life and death.

Perhaps, this reflects the snobbiness present towards works like Hamnet and other feminized works in their sentimental treatment of grief and trauma. This reflects a gendered criticism of these works and ideas.

Hamnet also feels at peace with modern films that explore motherhood, parenthood, and raising kids in a world hostile towards them. It delves into the pains of motherhood and its trials and tribulations [also: If I had Legs I'd Kick U].

This focus on motherhood and, by extension, parenthood makes sense. With the overturning of Roe V Wade, a crippling economy on the heels of a global pandemic, restriction of reproductive rights, and rising class inequality, it leads to the existential question: " Can our children inherit something better than us in this world?"

Hence, this focus on intimate, raw motherhood and its portrayal of grief feels timely in the modern-day socio-political context and the aftermath of COVID-19. After all, the source material was released at the height of the pandemic, and hence the film represents a neat intersection of these ideas.

Technically, Hamnet embodies its lyrical ideas. Its lyrical direction establishes its mellow tone, grief, and earned catharsis. Its lush visuals are dominated by natural light, textured landscapes lending a poetic visual style.

The breakout performances [Jesse Buckley] provide emotional range, physicality, grief, and trauma with its minimalist style. The Elizabethan score consists of ambient silence, melancholic melody, and other well-known sampled scores.

The detailed production design provides texture, mood, evocative natural landscapes, and symbolism. The cast provides fame, representation, and a great fit to the material. Overall, Hamnet is a film that's about the catharsis of grief through its exploration in art.

Writing: 9/10

Direction: 9/10

Cinematography: 10/10

Acting: 10/10

Editing: 9/10

Score: 8/10

Sound: 8/10

Prod Design: 9/10

Casting: 10/10

Effects: 7/10

Overall Score: 8.9/10