In 2025, the landscape of cinematic Shakespeare adaptations faces new challenges, particularly with iconic works like ‘Hamlet.’ This review delves into Riz Ahmed’s compelling performance and the film’s contemporary reimagining.
‘Hamlet’ Review: Riz Ahmed’s Compelling Adaptation
Cinematic Shakespeare adaptations are a tricky proposition in 2025, especially when discussing his most renowned works like “Hamlet.” There’s an overwhelming array of filmed interpretations to explore, many of which stand the test of time. If you seek a faithful rendition of the original drama, Kenneth Branagh’s definitive 1996 film remains unmatched, encompassing the entire Shakespearean text. Conversely, modern adaptations like “The Lion King” and “Sons of Anarchy” have infused elements of the original story into contemporary narratives, often without audiences realizing they are engaging with Shakespeare. With over 50 filmed versions of the text available, you can discover nearly any interpretation that resonates with you.
Why Another ‘Hamlet’?
Whenever a new “Hamlet” film is announced, the inevitable question arises: “Why?” The answer often lies in the actors.
Cynically, talented actors aspire to portray iconic roles, and their participation can significantly influence indie film financing, ensuring that adaptations of “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” and “King Lear” will persist. Optimistically, witnessing new actors present their interpretations of these classics is a profound joy, which explains the enduring popularity of these revivals in theatre.
Riz Ahmed’s Performance
Riz Ahmed is the driving force behind Aneil Karia’s new “Hamlet”, which is set to debut at film festivals this fall. The “Sound of Metal” star embodies the legendary Prince of Denmark with remarkable intensity, infusing the role with a vibrant energy more suited for the stage than the screen. This creates a contrast between Karia’s realistic staging and the more restrained performances of co-stars like Joe Alwyn, Morfydd Clark, and Art Malik, a disparity that some may find jarring but ultimately enhances the film’s exploration of Hamlet’s descent into madness.
Modernizing the Classic
Karia reimagines the well-known tale of a prince haunted by his father’s ghost after his uncle seizes the throne, placing it in contemporary India. Ahmed’s Hamlet is the heir to a prosperous construction firm, and his father’s death amid a significant development project raises suspicions.
The director excels at capturing the nuances necessary to translate Shakespeare’s verse into cinematic realism. While conceptualizing a modern narrative involving family and power struggles is straightforward, many filmmakers falter when it comes to seamlessly integrating textual moments that motivate transitions and adding contemporary elements without compromising the original text. Karia’s adept direction, combined with screenwriter Michael Lesslie’s concise script—delivering essential information in under two hours—safeguards this adaptation from common pitfalls.
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Evaluating the Adaptation
While the execution of the concept is commendable, the film’s legacy will hinge on whether it contributes meaningfully to the original play. Beyond providing actors of predominantly Indian and Pakistani descent the opportunity to inhabit these roles, the adaptation lacks significant textual depth that could be found in numerous other recent interpretations. This presents a paradox in adapting Shakespeare in an era where virtually every film is accessible at any time. Shakespeare’s enthusiasts argue that his language remains timeless, just as captivating today as it was during his lifetime in Stratford-Upon-Avon. However, if this is true, do not all adaptations retain a similar timelessness? We may continue to dress these characters in new attire and place them in modern settings, but eventually, fatigue will set in.
The Passion Behind the Adaptation
Nonetheless, one must admire the fervor these projects continue to inspire in their creators. While this particular adaptation may lack sufficient originality to enhance the canon of cinematic Shakespeare, Riz Ahmed certainly does not. He invests everything into this pivotal role in Western drama, and both Shakespeare and Ahmed’s fans will want to witness his extraordinary delivery of the play’s most iconic monologue while speeding down a highway with his hands off the steering wheel.
“To be or not to be” is the question every filmmaker considering a new take on Hamlet should ponder before embarking on their project, and this adaptation reaffirms that the genre remains vibrant.
Grade: B-
“Hamlet” premiered at the 2025 Telluride Film Festival. Focus Features will release it at a later date.
