I watch a lot of movies.
I love a lot of movies.
And I’m even tolerant of a lot of movies—sometimes because of a genre, sometimes because of a specific actor or director. For example, I will forgive a mediocre sci-fi movie if the story is interesting, even though I wouldn’t tolerate the same weaknesses in a normal drama.
But every once in a while, I stumble across a film that completely surprises me.
A film that makes me stop and think: how did I not realize this was going to be this good when I started it?
This week I found my favorite movie of the year.
A movie that moved me to tears—actual sobs. By the end of it I was overcome with emotion that just spilled out of me while I watched.
There were feelings of grief and sadness.
There were moments of awe.
There were realizations and quiet lessons.
And there was that rare appreciation for writing, acting, and directing—the kind where everything comes together and the whole film seems to glow.
The movie is Hamnet.
If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
It’s not the easiest film to watch. There are moments of discomfort and even moments of boredom where you may wonder where the story is going.
At first, it almost feels like a familiar historical drama.
“Oh no… not another story about a woman who might be a witch.”
But slowly, through everyday life and small struggles, the story begins to feel almost magical.
You know from the beginning that this is a film about William Shakespeare and his family, but it never feels grand or theatrical. It simply feels like a family living their lives in that time period.
Until one moment changes everything.
A decision by the young son shifts the trajectory of the entire story. His sacrifice for his sister transforms the film into something deeper—a story about grief, love, and creativity.
And it may even change how you think about one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.
The final thirty minutes of the film had me completely entranced.
That’s all I’ll say about it.
It’s something you should experience for yourself.
Some films entertain you.
Some films impress you.
And once in a while a film reminds you why stories exist in the first place.
P.S. Apparently I’m not the only one who was impressed. Hamnet has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
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Matt Ray
Living Large by Living Little
About the Author
Matt Ray is a sailor, writer, and cybersecurity tinkerer. He once circled the globe by hitchhiking on sailboats—and somehow lived to write about it.
Author of the practical crewing guide, Global HitchHiking
Global HitchHiking: How I Sailed the World Without Owning a Boat
This article was originally published on Substack
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