Riz Ahmed's Hamlet adaptation has unveiled an intense first trailer ahead of its release next year. Directed by Aneil Karia, the movie centres around a British South Asian family in a unique reimagining of William Shakespeare's well known play.
Set in the modern day, Hamlet stars Ahmed as the titular character who returns to London for his father's funeral. But when he reunites with his family, Hamlet is shocked to learn that his uncle Claudius is planning to marry his newly-widowed mother.
"After seeing his father's ghost, who says he was murdered by Claudius, Hamlet becomes consumed by rage and revenge. He goes to violent lengths to avenge his father's murder, questioning not only his role in the family business, but his own sanity," reads the synopsis.
The trailer, which was posted on YouTube, teases a dramatic and haunting adaptation. We see Hamlet struggling with paranoia and moral responsibility amid a fierce battle for power.
"My uncle is the cause of all this," he declares. "There is a villain dwelling in our home here."
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The trailer also features shots of a traditional Asian wedding, which takes place as Claudius stakes his claim on his brother's empire. The vibrant backdrop and costumes are juxtaposed by the use of classical dialogue throughout the movie.
As well as leading cast, Ahmed also serves as a producer alongside James Wilson, Allie Moore, Tommy Oliver, and Michael Lesslie (who wrote the screenplay).
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Meanwhile, joining Ahmed on screen are Timothy Spall, Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn, Sheeba Chadha, Avijit Dutt and Art Malik.
The movie, which will be released in cinemas on 6 February, 2026, currently holds a 78% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes from 27 reviews. IndieWire noted Karia's "excellent" efforts to translate "Shakespeare's masterpiece" into a modern day tragedy.
Awards Buzz described Hamlet as "magnetic", praising the "universally excellent" cast, fronted by Ahmed's "tortured performance that often turns frenzy into comedy".
Screen Rant branded it a "bold and culturally dynamic" adaptation, adding: "The story is as theatrical as it gets, fueled by tension and heated, unhinged rage."
Hamlet will be released in cinemas on 6 February 2026.
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a "telly addict" since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.
