Hamnet‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ is a 2025 period drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, co-written by Maggie O’Farrell and Chloé Zhao, and based on O’Farrell’s 2020 novel. The main focus of the film is the life of the Shakespeare family, specifically the parents, Agnes and William, and it explores how the passing of their only son, Hamnet, a 11-year-old boy, affected their personal lives and gave rise to the play Hamlet.The main stars of the film are Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, and it is a blend of historical fact and emotional realism.On August 29, 2025, the film debuted at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival. The limited theatrical release in the U.S. will begin on November 26, followed by a wide release on December 12.Filming details of Hamnet exploredHamnet (Image via Focus Features)The major locations for Hamnet were spread throughout the UK. The production lasted from July 29 to September 30, 2024. London was initially planned to be the location where the production would take off in June 2024, but it ultimately began in Wales, followed by several historical sites in the UK.According to a report by Discover Britain, published on October 13, 2025, much of the filming for the Hamnet movie took place in Herefordshire, England, which served as the setting for the film’s period outdoor scenes.The outdoor scenes were shot in the countryside of Herefordshire, allowing the filmmakers to recreate the outdoor surroundings of Shakespeare's environment in the late 1500s. Additional filming took place in London, where the Charterhouse was the most prominent location used by the production.After the historic building was converted to film-friendly Elizabethan interiors, its preserved architecture made it perfect for those scenes.The production was supported by Hera Pictures and Neal Street Productions, and on-set producer Steven Spielberg joined the team as a producer. The director of photography was Łukasz Żal, and Max Richter was the film composer.Read More: The Thing with Feathers cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they playWhat is Hamnet about and who stars in it? View this post on Instagram Instagram PostIt is a story about an emotional disruption at the domestic level in the life of a couple, William Shakespeare and his remarkably devout and affectionate wife, Agnes, caused by the death of their son, Hamnet Shakespeare.The story primarily revolves around this tragic event, which leads to a change in the couple’s relationship, and William is inspired to create one of his most influential works, Hamlet.The film, in fact, goes the extra mile to align with the original book's themes, which were evident in its narrative dealing with grief, fortitude, and the lyrical progression that comes with bereavement.Jesse Buckley plays the role of Agnes Shakespeare, a spiritual and intuitive woman who is the center of her family. William Shakespeare is portrayed by Paul Mescal, where one sees the evolution of the playwright’s art intertwined with his personal turmoil.Jacobi Jupe is playing the role of Hamnet Shakespeare, whose passing becomes the emotional core of the film.Moreover, Mary Shakespeare is played by Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn is Bartholomew Hathaway. Bodhi Rae Breathnach plays the role of Susanna Shakespeare, Olivia Lynes is Judith Shakespeare, and David Wilmot is John Shakespeare.Noah Jupe is Hamlet, while El Simons is Ophelia. There are also additional performers such as Louisa Harland, Jack Shalloo, Sam Woolf, Freya Hannan-Mills, Dainton Anderson, Elliot Baxter, and Hera ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌Gibson.Read More: What role did Jimmy Cliff play in The Harder They Come? Details explored as the reggae star and actor dies at 81The movie is set to release on November 26, 2025.