Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao returns to her roots post-Marvel’s “Eternals” with a much smaller story: “Hamnet.” 

“Hamnet” is an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s 2020 novel of the same name. The movie starts as a love story between Agnes and William Shakespeare, but evolves into a story about loss and grief in the aftermath of their son Hamnet’s death, the catalyst for Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet.”

Agnes Shakespeare (Jessie Buckley) is an outcast with a deep connection to the natural world who wanders through the woods playing with her pet hawk. William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) is a tutor who longs for something greater — like writing plays — but is stuck working for his father. Buckley and Mescal emphasize the innocence of the Shakespeares’ courtship and the loving escape they bring to each other’s lives. 

Jupe’s performance as Hamnet is the heart of the film, an impressive feat given that the actor is only 12 years old.

Agnes and William are unwavering in their love for each other, despite contention from their families. 

The first act of the film concludes with the birth of their first child, Susanna, and ushers in a shift for Act 2. The story begins to escalate when Agnes becomes pregnant again and William begins to show signs of depression. As the film continues, William moves to London and Agnes unexpectedly gives birth to twins, Hamnet (Jacobi Jupe) and Judith (Olivia Lynes).

Jupe’s performance as Hamnet is the heart of the film, an impressive feat given that the actor is only 12 years old. His performance haunts the entire movie. Hamnet is like any young boy: innocent, infectious and courageous. He wants to make those around him happy, and he especially loves his father. One particularly poignant scene shows the father and son having a heartfelt conversation about being brave while William is working in London. Knowing Hamnet’s time in the story is limited, this scene is even more impactful. The rapturous glee that Jupe and Mescal share indicates the love between their characters and foreshadows its devastation. 

During the film’s festival run, Jupe became emotional talking about his experience on set in an interview with Variety. He described the experience of playing Hamnet as “life-changing.” 

“It was so spiritual and with everybody supporting me. … It was quite incredible. … I’m actually lost for words. … It was so utterly devastating. … When I ended that shoot, there was one thing that I wanted to do, and it was probably to live on for Hamnet because I don’t think it was fair on him.”

For the film, characters could not simply say what they felt; instead, viewers needed to see and feel it.

Jupe’s connection to Hamnet is evident on screen. He brings Hamnet to life, and knowing his connection to the character will weigh on your viewing. Sniffles and sobs could be heard by the end of the screening I attended. 

Both Mescal and Buckley are no strangers to playing parents. Mescal was nominated for best actor at the 95th Academy Awards for his work in Charlotte Wells’ debut feature “Aftersun,” in which he plays a depressed father who haunts his daughter’s narrative. In a way, “Hamnet” inverts this dynamic by having the child haunt the parent. Buckley was nominated for best supporting actress at the 94th Academy Awards for her role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Lost Daughter.” In “The Lost Daughter,” Buckley portrays the younger version of the film’s main character, a young mother who feels unfulfilled in her life as she tries to pursue her career while simultaneously raising her daughters.  

In “Hamnet,” Buckley delivers another nuanced portrayal of motherhood. Agnes does everything she can to protect her children; her world revolves around them. Buckley’s performance follows a trend in other recent dramas like “Die My Love” and “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” that depict the complexity of motherhood. In contrast to those two films, which are primarily centered around the effect of post-partum depression and the stress of raising a child, Buckley portrays the grief of losing one.

Agnes always tries to remain one step ahead, but some things are out of her control. Buckley is able to capture this confusion, frustration and gradual acceptance through her dialogue — and especially through her facial expressions. When Buckley is acting, you can tell exactly what her character is feeling with a look. This is something her and Mescal have in common.

Facial acting is essential for bringing O’Farrell’s novel to the screen. The novel takes its time telling the story, especially for the build-up to Hamnet’s passing, which does not happen until the film’s halfway point. O’Farrell’s prose is lyrical and emotional, as she breaks down the characters’ internal monologues and how they behave in scenes. 

For the film, characters could not simply say what they felt; instead, viewers needed to see and feel it. That’s what makes O’Farrell and Zhao co-writing the screenplay great. O’Farrell had crafted the themes, but Zhao translated them into visual symbols. For example there are many shots of different dark voids, which represent the impending despair and darkness that loom in the background. 

Constraints force filmmakers to get creative. During the London Film Festival, Zhao said that “limitations, I promise, are your best friend.”

As a team, O’Farrell and Zhao streamlined the novel’s nonlinear structure for the film. Notably, they centered William more — in the novel, he is never referred to by name — while still keeping Agnes as the main protagonist. 

The best example of O’Farrell and Zhao’s teamwork is what scenes they decided were pivotal for the story. To explain the inciting incident for Hamnet’s death, they had to condense a chapter of the novel. They interpreted it through a small theatrical puppet show that William encounters in London. It is a little detail, but it further fleshes out the world and the time. 

It is these little details that highlight the brilliance of Zhao’s craft. In a Vanity Fair article, Zhao commented on the difference between making “Hamnet” versus Marvel’s “Eternals.”

“‘Eternals’ had, like, an unlimited amount of money and resources. And here, we have one street corner that we can afford to (stand in). … ‘Eternals’ didn’t have a lot of limitations, and that is actually quite dangerous. Because we only have that street corner (in ‘Hamnet’), suddenly everything has meaning,” Zhao said. 

The familial ties between the actors further solidify the influence of Hamnet in Shakespeare’s creation of “Hamlet,” serving as a means to process his grief.  

Constraints force filmmakers to get creative. During the London Film Festival, Zhao said that “limitations, I promise, are your best friend.” All of Zhao’s work feels lived and real because she shoots her films on location, and “Hamnet” is no different. The film opens in the woods, where characters are able to connect with the world, setting the stage for the impending life experiences within the film. It concludes on a replica stage of the Shakespeare Globe, where characters are forced to face their emotions and reconcile their grief through the theatrical production of “Hamlet.”

Agnes is accompanied by her brother Bartholmew (Joe Alwyn) during this emotional climax of the story, in which all the unspoken words between Agnes and William are laid out. 

The energy in the Globe was palpable as Agnes began to slowly process Hamnet’s death and understand William’s aloofness. Everybody watched the performance with bated breath.  

Hamlet is played by Jupe’s older brother, Noah Jupe, a purposeful casting decision. As Agnes looks up at Hamlet, it seems she is symbolically looking at an older version of her son. The familial ties between the actors further solidify the influence of Hamnet in Shakespeare’s creation of “Hamlet,” serving as a means to process his grief.  

When seeing “Hamnet,” bring a tissue — you’ll need it. “Hamnet” opens in select theaters on Nov. 26 and expands nationwide on Dec. 12.