Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley Bring Grief and Art to Life in Chloé Zhao’s HAMNET Trailer

Parting really is such sweet sorrow in the emotionally charged first trailer for Hamnet, the latest film from director Chloé Zhao. This time, she trades superheroes for Shakespeare, diving into the personal tragedy that inspired one of the most iconic plays ever written.

Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel, Hamnet explores the heartbreak behind Hamlet. The film centers on William Shakespeare, played by Paul Mescal, and his wife Agnes, played by Jessie Buckley, as they navigate the devastating loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet.

Through their grief, the film charts how Shakespeare begins to craft what would become his most famous and deeply personal work.

The cast also includes Joe Alwyn as Bartholomew, with Jacobi Jupe taking on the role of Hamnet. Rounding out the supporting ensemble are Emily Watson, Jack Shalloo, and David Wilmot.

Zhao co-wrote the screenplay with O’Farrell, keeping the emotional depth and poetic tone of the novel intact. The film is produced by Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes, Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Kristie Macosko Krieger, and Laurie Borg.

The film is a collaboration between Amblin Entertainment, Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions, and Book of Shadows.

Hamnet will first hit theaters in limited release on November 27, before expanding nationwide on December 12 via Focus Features domestically and Universal Pictures internationally.

This is Zhao’s first feature since Eternals, but she’s best known for Nomadland, which earned her an Academy Award for Best Director, making her only the second woman in history to win the honor.

With Hamnet, Zhao returns to the kind of intimate, character-driven storytelling that first put her on the map, delivering what looks like a visually stunning and emotionally rich story about love, legacy, and the pain that shapes great art.