Hamlet

Play trailer

1:34

Hamlet

R

Apr 2026

1h 53m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

101 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy is reimagined in a bold, modern adaptation set within London's elite South Asian community. When Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) returns for his father's funeral, he is stunned to discover his uncle Claudius is marrying his newly widowed mother. Visited by his father's ghost, Hamlet learns his brutal murder was at the hands of Claudius -- and spirals into a quest for vengeance that exposes the rot at the heart of the family's empire and threatens his own sanity.

Critics Consensus

Fueled by Riz Ahmed's electrifying turn, this gritty, streamlined Hamlet boldly reimagines the classic tragedy with ferocious emotion and intent.

Read Critics Reviews

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

1d

There are clunky moments... But there are many other moments that are really quite striking.

Go to Full Review

Odie Henderson

Boston Globe

Apr 21

2.5/4

I agree with Polonius that brevity is the soul of wit, but not if that brevity comes at the expense of undercutting the play’s central themes. Ahmed gives his all, but it’s not enough to elevate this version above near-miss status.

Go to Full Review

Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Apr 13

3/5

hile Ahmed struggles (a bit too much) about whether to be or not to be, it may be worth a theater ticket to witness a tremendous character actor like Malik put his stamp on the coveted role of the murderous Claudius.

Go to Full Review

Beandrea July

FilmWeek (LAist)

1d

If you're not a purist about the Shakespearean text, there's a lot here for you.

Go to Full Review

Charles Solomon

FilmWeek (LAist)

1d

You often feel like you're in a mumblecore Hamlet. The other problem is that if you're going to cut that much of a sacred text, why do you waste the audience's time with endless shots of him walking through rooms?

Go to Full Review

Robert W. Butler

Butler's Cinema Scene

1d

B

Ultimately, though, it all boils down to our Hamlet, and Ahmed more than holds his own. This actor oozes intensity and physical presence and here he channels it into one of drama’s seminal roles.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

christopher b

Apr 19

Ahmed is brilliant, as usual.

See more

Robert M

Apr 18

A "Hamlet" for our time on film.

See more

Elizabeth

Apr 16

A fresh, modern take on Shakespeare’s classic story. Riz Ahmed gives Hamlet new dimension.

See more

lu

Apr 15

The scene of "to be...", when Hamlet holds his hands up, barreling to certain death, in prayer is incredible!

See more

R R

Apr 15

Exceptional cast. Captivating cinematography. Clever re-telling of Hamlet set to modern environment. A bit slow to start, but really picks up the pace in the second half. Riz Ahmed is truly mesmerizing to watch from beginning to end. What a consummate artist/actor.

See more

Diana

Apr 15

Beautifully scripted fresh take on the play.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Aneil Karia

Director

Riz Ahmed

Hamlet

Morfydd Clark

Ophelia

Joe Alwyn

Laertes

Sheeba Chadha

Gertrude

Avijit Dutt

Old Hamlet

Hamlet: Exclusive Movie Clip - Get Thee to a Nunnery

1:47

View more videos

Hamlet: Trailer 1

1:34

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Shakespeare's most enduring tragedy is reimagined in a bold, modern adaptation set within London's elite South Asian community. When Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) returns for his father's funeral, he is stunned to discover his uncle Claudius is marrying his newly widowed mother. Visited by his father's ghost, Hamlet learns his brutal murder was at the hands of Claudius -- and spirals into a quest for vengeance that exposes the rot at the heart of the family's empire and threatens his own sanity.

Director: Aneil Karia
Producer: James Wilson, Riz Ahmed, Michael Lesslie, Allie Moore, Tommy Oliver
Screenwriter: Michael Lesslie
Distributor: Vertical
Production Co: Left Handed Films, Storyteller Productions, JW Films, Confluential Films
Rating: R (Suicide|Brief Drug Use|Some Bloody Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 10, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 53m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1