Riz Ahmed has finally realised his decades long dream project. This Hamlet film review examines how the Oscar nominated actor transforms Shakespeare’s most tortured prince into a volatile modern London figure. The result is a visceral, emotionally raw reinterpretation that demands serious attention.
The Hamlet 2025 film arrives in UK cinemas on 6 February 2026, offering audiences something radically different from previous Shakespeare adaptation film productions. Director Aneil Karia and screenwriter Michael Lesslie remove theatrical excess and build something urgent, intimate and cinematic.
Hamlet Film Review: A Fresh Vision for Shakespeare’s Greatest Tragedy
This modern Hamlet adaptation relocates the Danish court to a wealthy British South Asian family in London. Ahmed’s Hamlet returns home for his father’s funeral only to discover his uncle Claudius intends to marry his widowed mother Gertrude.
In this Hamlet film review, the contemporary framing feels purposeful rather than cosmetic. Themes of corruption, generational obligation and moral decay resonate sharply within today’s Britain.
Unlike Kenneth Branagh’s exhaustive 1996 four hour version, which preserved Shakespeare’s full unabridged text, this production runs at a lean 113 minutes. Several characters including Horatio, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are removed entirely. Even the Yorick skull scene disappears.
This Hamlet film review finds that the cuts create momentum rather than loss. The narrative becomes focused, almost suffocating in intensity.
Cinematographer Stuart Bentley captures neon nightclubs, lavish wedding rituals and suburban London streets with restless handheld energy. The visual instability mirrors Hamlet’s psychological deterioration.
Riz Ahmed’s Commanding Performance
Critics largely agree that Ahmed justifies the film’s existence through sheer commitment. From the opening scene, where he tends to his father’s body with trembling restraint, grief feels physical rather than theatrical.
This Hamlet film review observes that Ahmed delivers Shakespeare’s language with remarkable fluidity. He avoids grand theatrical projection. Instead, he opts for contained volatility.
His interpretation contrasts sharply with Laurence Olivier’s 1948 performance, which framed Hamlet as paralysed by indecision. Ahmed presents a man crushed by depression yet simmering with rage.
The famous To be or not to be soliloquy becomes a high risk moment. Hamlet speaks the lines while driving recklessly through London traffic. The choice divides audiences. Some see brilliance. Others see unnecessary spectacle.
Yet within this Hamlet film review, the scene underscores existential danger in a literal and immediate way.
The Hamlet Movie Cast and Ensemble Strength
Art Malik portrays Claudius with smooth, corporate menace. His performance suggests villainy can operate through polished civility.
Morfydd Clark offers an Ophelia both fragile and quietly resistant. Timothy Spall transforms Polonius into a calculating enforcer figure. Sheeba Chaddha brings sorrowful denial to Gertrude, while Joe Alwyn delivers a fiercely driven Laertes.
This Hamlet film review notes that the predominantly British South Asian cast reframes Shakespeare as culturally expansive rather than exclusive.
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Comparative Breakdown of Major Adaptations
| Aspect | Riz Ahmed 2026 | Branagh 1996 | Olivier 1948 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runtime | 113 minutes | 242 minutes | 154 minutes |
| Setting | Modern London | 19th century palace | Medieval castle |
| Text | Heavily condensed | Complete text | Selectively trimmed |
| Style | Psychological thriller | Grand theatrical epic | Brooding drama |
| Tone | Urgent and volatile | Expansive and layered | Introspective |
This Hamlet film review demonstrates how the 2026 version prioritises intimacy over spectacle.
Cultural Specificity as Creative Strength
Setting the narrative within a British South Asian dynasty allows meaningful reinterpretation. The play within a play sequence transforms into an elaborate cultural dance performance. Rather than feeling forced, it deepens themes of performance and deception.
The wedding celebration scenes juxtapose ritual joy against Hamlet’s visible contempt. This Hamlet film review finds these moments among the film’s most visually powerful.
However, not every reinterpretation succeeds. A nightclub confrontation feels slightly overstated. The reimagined Fortinbras figure lacks narrative clarity.
Why This Hamlet Matters in 2026
This Hamlet film review recognises that the adaptation arrives during intense cultural conversations about identity, power and institutional trust.
Ahmed’s casting carries symbolic weight without overshadowing the text. Representation feels organic, not promotional.
By grounding Shakespeare in modern Britain, the film suggests that moral paralysis and family corruption remain disturbingly current.
Where to Watch
The film opens exclusively in UK cinemas on 6 February 2026. A Hamlet streaming release has not yet been confirmed. Industry expectations suggest digital distribution later in the year.
Final Verdict
This Hamlet film review concludes that Riz Ahmed delivers one of the most emotionally committed performances of his career.
The heavy condensation of text may unsettle purists. Certain stylistic risks divide opinion. Yet the emotional force, cultural confidence and cinematic boldness elevate this adaptation beyond novelty.
For audiences seeking a Shakespeare adaptation film that feels urgent rather than museum like, this latest Hamlet movie is essential viewing.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Hamlet in the 2026 adaptation
Riz Ahmed stars as Hamlet under the direction of Aneil Karia.
How long is the film
The runtime is 113 minutes.
Is this version faithful to Shakespeare
The language remains Shakespearean but the script is significantly condensed.
When is the UK release
The film opens in cinemas on 6 February 2026.
Is it worth watching
According to this Hamlet film review, the performance alone makes it compelling.
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