This film takes a look at William Shakespeare’s family life through the eyes of Agnes Hathaway, the woman he met while working as a tutor to help pay off his father’s debts in the Elizabethan era. There’s a moment where he’s completely taken by her while she’s calling a hawk with her falconry glove, and from there their story unfolds. They get married, have three children namely Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet... and what starts as a dramatical love story slowly turns into something much heavier, like the play of "The Tragedy of Hamlet". This isn’t really a romance; it’s a tragedy. I watched it in one sitting and honestly, it was emotionally exhausting in the best way. It’s heartbreaking, powerful, and inspiring. I’m not very familiar with theatre, play, or Shakespeare, so this was my first time experiencing this story, and it still hit hard. Jessie Buckley is incredible here: her performance as Agnes feels so strong, raw, and deeply human, especially as a mother. The last scene is honestly beautiful and ends at exactly the right moment; it feels very poetic. At the same time, it might also be the reason I can’t quite give this a full 5 stars, even though the film feels almost perfect. I don’t think I fully understood the meaning of the theatre part at the end, and I’m not totally into it, but it still left a strong impression on me. Maybe I need to watch it again in a cinema when it finally screens here, hopefully I’ll get the chance. Jessie Buckley’s face alone carries a million emotions in that final moment. Also, random thought: why is Hamnet blonde when both his parents are brunette tho? Wkwkkw It’s a family story that everyone can connect with, even though it’s not about a perfect or harmonious family. At its core, it’s about loss, love, and learning to appreciate the moments we have. Chloe Zhao’s cinematography is, as always, beautiful, and the storytelling feels really strong and immersive throughout.