Hamnet (2025), directed by Chloe Zhao

Based on an acclaimed novel, this film offers a different take on William Shakespeare from the point of view of his wife. It starts with their courtship and moves through to a year after the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Agnes is portrayed as a woman of nature and an herbalist, which is why she and their three children never moved to London. Will had to go there for his career but she needed to stay in the country, so they were apart for much of their marriage but their love never wavered despite a rocky patch after losing their son. Jessie Buckley embodies forest woman Agnes and deserves all the accolades she won for this film. Paul Mescal has almost a peripheral role as Will, but his understated performance has been underrated. The film has been described as grief porn, which is a wild exaggeration, but it is a little slow in places and could effectively be 10 minutes shorter. Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn provide solid support and the child actors are very good.