Hamlet

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1:34

Hamlet

R

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1h 53m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

90 Reviews

56%

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.

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Odie Henderson

Boston Globe

18h

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.

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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.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Apr 13

1/4

Beyond flashy but empty gestures, little or no thought went into making sense of the update.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

13h

3/5

Ahmed is really the selling point of this London-set adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play, stepping into the iconic role with a fitting intensity and sense of danger just barely under control.

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James Verniere

Boston Movie News

Apr 14

C+

Ahmed is powerful, but the play has been so stripped down that it is a shadow of Shakespeare's masterpiece.

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Andrew Parker

The Gate

Apr 14

6/10

And while "the play’s" very much "the thing" here, Ahmed’s leading turn is more than enough reason to take notice of this version of the tale.

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christopher b

2d

Ahmed is brilliant, as usual.

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Robert M

4d

A "Hamlet" for our time on film.

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Elizabeth

5d

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

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lu

6d

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

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R R

6d

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.

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Diana

Apr 15

Beautifully scripted fresh take on the play.

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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

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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

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