Hamnet (2025): Exploring Grief and Loss of a Child
- Daniel Laluna
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Written by: Dan Laluna, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Author, Movies in Mental Health and Media Blog Series
Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, the film Hamnet offers a deeply emotional exploration of grief through the lens of historical fiction. Centered on the devastating loss of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes’s young son, Hamnet, during the plague, the film reflects on how profoundly—and differently—people experience grief.
Agnes witnesses her son’s death firsthand. In a matter of moments, her world collapses: she goes from desperately trying to save her daughter to losing her son in the blink of an eye as the plague spreads. Meanwhile, William Shakespeare—portrayed in the film while away for work with his theater production—returns home only after the tragedy has occurred. By the time he arrives, it is too late. He never had the chance to say goodbye.
That absence becomes its own form of grief.
The Memory of Loss
When we lose someone we love, the moment often becomes etched into memory. Many people can recall exactly where they were, what they were doing, and how they felt when they received the news.
Loss is never easy.
The death of a child, in particular, may be one of the most devastating experiences a parent can face. There is no simple or universal path through such grief. People cope in many ways. Some withdraw into isolation. Others lean on family and community for support. Some may turn toward faith, while others struggle with maladaptive coping mechanisms. There is no singular “correct” response—only different ways of surviving unimaginable pain.
When Partners Grieve Differently
One of the most challenging dynamics following loss is witnessing how a partner processes grief differently.
In Hamnet, Agnes turns inward. Her grief is quiet, isolating, and deeply internal. William, by contrast, returns almost immediately to his work in the theater, immersing himself in the creative process and beginning work on a new play.
Neither response is inherently right or wrong—they are simply different. This contrast highlights a reality many grieving families experience: partners may mourn the same loss but travel entirely different emotional paths.
Art as Collective Grief
What makes Hamnet particularly powerful is the way the film culminates in a moment of shared catharsis between Agnes, William, and the audience.
Within the story, Shakespeare writes and stages the play Hamlet. The actor portraying Hamlet bears an uncanny resemblance to an older version of Agnes and William’s son. During the performance, when the character dies on stage, Agnes reaches her hands toward the actor in a raw moment of grief—mourning both the character before her and the child she lost.
Then something remarkable happens. The entire audience mirrors her gesture. Arms extend outward in collective mourning.
In one of the most powerful cinematic moments of the year, grief transforms from isolation into community. Agnes is no longer mourning alone. In that moment, she also witnesses how her husband has been grieving through his art. The theater becomes a space where personal sorrow is shared, witnessed, and held by others.
Grief, Art, and Healing
Art has long served as a powerful vessel for processing grief. While creative expression is not the only—or necessarily the “right”—way to navigate loss, it can provide a meaningful outlet when used intentionally.
In the context of Hamnet, theater becomes a therapeutic bridge between Agnes and William. Through storytelling and performance, they find a way—however imperfect—to mourn their son together.
Art does not erase grief. But sometimes, it allows us to carry it differently.
If you or someone you know is going through a loss, therapy can be a great source of support. It provides a safe space to process grief, express emotions, and begin healing.
Looking for Diagnostic Clarification?
Sometimes grief and loss can look like ADHD, anxiety, somatic issues, mood disorders, or other comorbid struggles.
Dr. Dan Laluna offers comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological evaluations with:
Appointment availability within 1–2 weeks
Testing report and feedback typically completed within 2–14 days
To schedule an appointment, contact:
📞 708-505-6862