Universal has today debuted the official trailer for Hamlet, a contemporary reimagining of William Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy, with Riz Ahmed stepping into the title role. Directed by Aneil Karia, fresh from his Academy Award-winning work on The Long Goodbye, the film boasts an impressive ensemble including Morfydd Clark as Ophelia, Joe Alwyn as Laertes, Sheeba Chadha as Gertrude, Avijit Dutt as Old Hamlet, Art Malik as Claudius, and Timothy Spall as Polonius.
Blending classical language with modern design to create a tense, immersive experience for a new generation, Karia’s adaptation is set within a wealthy British South-Asian family. The story follows Hamlet as he returns home for his father’s funeral, only to learn that his uncle Claudius will marry his widowed mother. When his father’s ghost reveals that Claudius was responsible for his death, Hamlet must navigate questions of revenge, family loyalty, and morality.
Hamlet had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2025 and also screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on 5 September.
Critical response has been largely positive, with the film currently holding a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Metro highlighted the adaptation’s fresh perspective, writing that “in a sea of rinse and repeat Hamlets often told from the same Western-centric lens, this offers a desperately needed breath of fresh air.” The Playlist also praised the production, noting: “Just when you thought the world didn’t need another contemporary staging of a classic William Shakespeare play, a movie comes along that makes you reconsider that stance.”
Universal will release Hamlet in cinemas on February 6th, 2025.
