‘Hamnet’ is making audiences break down in tears – and upending beliefs about male grief

Hamnet has everyone talking

This film is about the universality of grief, but it also has something to say about the transformative power of creativity.

‘Hamnet’ is making audiences break down in tears – and upending beliefs about male grief

Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s film 'Hamnet.' Focus FeaturesDid you cry during “Hamnet”? On social media, many viewers shared the overwhelming emotions elicited by the film, which has been nominated for eight Academy Awards. One viewer commented on Reddit that the movie was an “out of body experience.” Another posted on X that it left them “covered in tears” and “ugly crying the entire drive home.” New York Times columnist Sa…