Film 'Hamnet' by director Chloé Zhao has won the prestigious People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025. This marks the second time Zhao has received this honor at TIFF, having previously won with 'Nomadland' in 2020.
The People's Choice Award at TIFF is often a strong indicator of potential success at the Academy Awards, with many past winners going on to receive Oscar nominations or wins for Best Picture. Films like 'Green Book' and 'Nomadland' are examples of previous TIFF People's Choice Award recipients that later won the Best Picture Oscar.
'Hamnet' stars Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare, exploring the profound grief experienced by the Shakespeare family after the loss of their son, Hamnet. The film is an adaptation of Maggie O'Farrell's bestselling novel, with O'Farrell co-writing the screenplay with Zhao. The duo have captured the emotional depth of the true story that inspired one of literature's greatest works, 'Hamlet'.
In her acceptance speech, Zhao spoke about her own experiences with loneliness and the power of storytelling to foster human connection. She highlighted how art can help in understanding life's most challenging experiences, such as deep loss. The film is slated for a limited release in the United States on November 27, 2025, followed by a global premiere on December 12, 2025.
The runner-up in the People's Choice category was Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein', with Rian Johnson's 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' taking the second runner-up position. Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' received the newly introduced International People's Choice Award, and Barry Avrich's 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue' won in the documentary category.
Critics have lauded 'Hamnet' with high praise, particularly for the performances of Jessie Buckley, described as "outstanding," and Paul Mescal, noted for his ability to convey a wide range of emotions. The film has been commended for its touching portrayal of love, loss, and art's capacity to bridge the understanding of human existence. With the momentum from TIFF, 'Hamnet' is positioned as a strong contender for upcoming awards.