Chloé Zhao's Historical Drama 'Hamnet' Clinches the People's Choice Award at the 50th TIFF

Chloé Zhao’s historical feature, 'Hamnet,' which draws its narrative from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel, has secured the coveted People’s Choice Award at the 50th anniversary edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2025. This particular accolade, determined by audience ballots since 1978, is widely regarded as a major barometer for potential success at the upcoming Academy Awards. A significant number of past recipients, including 'Mad Max: Fury Road' in 2015 and '12 Years a Slave' in 2013, went on to claim the top prize from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Zhao, as she previously captured this same award in 2020 for her film 'Nomadland.' This achievement solidifies her position as the first filmmaker ever to claim the TIFF People’s Choice Award on two separate occasions. The recognition underscores the strong positive reception the film garnered from festival attendees.

The cinematic work delves into the poignant, tragic story of William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes. It places a sharp focus on the profound impact the loss of their son had on the playwright, a sorrow widely believed to have fueled the creation of the tragedy 'Hamlet.' The lead performances have garnered substantial critical praise. Jessie Buckley portrays Agnes, while Paul Mescal takes on the role of William Shakespeare. Buckley’s portrayal was lauded for injecting 'greater humanity' into the on-screen presence, while Mescal shared that he immersed himself in the plays repeatedly to fully inhabit the character. To foster what Zhao termed 'kinetic trust' between the two leads, the director arranged for them to participate in a tantric workshop.

This visually rich production vividly captures domestic life in 1580s England, subsequently exploring the deep grief that shaped the Bard’s subsequent creative output. The film’s stunning visuals were crafted by cinematographer Łukasz Żal. Complementing the imagery is the musical score by Max Richter, who masterfully integrated foundational elements of Elizabethan musical practice, filtering them through the psychological landscape of the story. Richter developed a choral language specifically designed to accentuate Agnes’s internal journey, positioning her as the emotional anchor of the entire film.

The production credits list Hera Pictures, Neal Street Productions, Amblin Entertainment, and Book of Shadows as the companies behind the feature, with notable producers including Steven Spielberg. Following highly successful screenings at both the Telluride Film Festival and TIFF, 'Hamnet' has firmly established itself as a formidable contender in the upcoming awards season.

The feature runs for 126 minutes. Critical consensus is already strong, evidenced by a score of 92 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 18 reviews. American audiences are scheduled to see the historical drama during a limited theatrical run commencing on November 26, 2025, with a wider release following on December 12. The film is slated for release in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2026. At the 50th TIFF, the second and third places in the People’s Choice category went to Guillermo del Toro’s 'Frankenstein' and Rian Johnson’s 'Knives Out: A New Mystery,' respectively.