Ian McKellen Criticizes 2026 Oscar Nominee 'Hamnet'

Veteran British Actor Admits One of This Year's Top Contenders Left Him Disappointed and Perplexed.

Sir Ian McKellen, a voting member of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has stated that he will not be supporting the film 'Hamnet' during the upcoming Oscars campaign. According to the actor, the movie failed to engage him and raised serious questions regarding its plausibility.

What 'Hamnet' is About

The film is based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel of the same name and offers a fictional interpretation of events surrounding the death of William Shakespeare's 11-year-old son in the 16th century.

In the plot, the tragedy occurs while the playwright is in London, and this experience supposedly becomes the catalyst for writing the play 'Hamlet.' His wife, played by Jessie Buckley, remains at home and struggles to cope with the loss on her own.

McKellen Questions the Characters' Motivations

In his review, the actor admitted the film left him indifferent and failed to convince him with its internal logic. In his view, the characters' actions contradict what historians know about Shakespeare's life.

McKellen noted he is not drawn to the idea of seeking the playwright's inspiration in a family tragedy. He was particularly puzzled by the portrayal of the writer's wife, Anne Hathaway, who, according to the actor, seems in the film to barely understand what her husband does and has never seen his plays.

'I don't quite get this film. I'm not very interested in trying to work out where Shakespeare's imagination came from, but it certainly didn't just come from family life,' McKellen emphasized, adding that there are several moments in the picture questionable in terms of historical accuracy.

Why McKellen's Opinion Carries Special Weight

The 86-year-old actor has been a member of the Film Academy since he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Gods and Monsters.' Furthermore, he is considered one of the leading contemporary interpreters of Shakespeare: over decades on stage, McKellen has played Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, and John Falstaff.

This is precisely why his assessment is perceived not as an emotional reaction, but as the perspective of a professional deeply immersed in the legacy of the great playwright. The actor himself emphasizes that his criticism is not directed personally against the film's creators, but reflects a respectful and demanding attitude towards everything connected with the figure of Shakespeare.