by Henry Pham
Hamlet is a British drama film based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, having been reimagined in a bold, modern adaptation set within London’s elite South Asian community. It focuses on the titular character who returns for his father’s funeral. However, 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, threatening his own sanity in the process.
Oscar winner Riz Ahmed (The Long Goodbye) stars as Prince Hamlet, descending from elite London society into the city’s underground. Supporting actor Art Malik (True Lies) plays Claudius, the film’s main antagonist. Ahmed, who also serves as one of the film’s producers, anchors the story with a raw performance, portraying a South Asian man who is navigating his life through character, identity, and grief. He is supported by Morfydd Clark, recognized for her role as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and Timothy Spall, known for his roles in Mr. Turner, Topsy-Turvy, and Secrets & Lies.
Set in a South Asian context, the film is shaped by Riz Ahmed’s perspective and Aneil Karia’s direction, whose previous collaboration on their short film, The Long Goodbye, brings a raw and personal storytelling style. The cinematography by Stuart Bentley and dialogue by Michael Lesslie (who recently co-wrote Now You See Me: Now You Don’t) convey passion and authenticity, regardless of one’s own familiarity with the short film. This adaptation exemplifies the diversity international cinema can achieve, offering perspectives that resonate with audiences while maintaining a distinct cultural viewpoint. The film’s emotional intensity is unsettling and gripping, particularly for younger viewers. Its layered narrative balances celebration and family tradition with internal conflict, morality, and emotional turmoil. Ahmed’s character struggles, displayed in the film, are deeply relatable.
With its 113-minute runtime, Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia deliver this South Asian reimagined tale of Hamlet. While this adaptation is good, it is an interesting adaptation of Hamlet, and the South Asian representation has been growing on me. It was visually powerful and symbolically rich, capturing emotion and narrative in a uniquely South Asian storytelling style. I wish lots of color were added to the background to make it easier to watch. It would have made the experience even more special. This film makes me want to watch The Long Goodbye due to how passionate this project is. And even though it didn’t come close to being a perfect adaptation, this movie is where it needs to be seen, studied, and celebrated.
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