“Hamlet” (2026) Review: Riz Ahmed’s Modern Shakespeare Adaptation Falls Flat

There’s a version of Hamlet that should feel alive in 2026—restless, culturally sharp, and willing to take risks. This isn’t that version. Starring Riz Ahmed and directed by Aneil Karia, this modern take on Shakespeare’s classic tragedy never quite finds its footing. It’s not a disaster—but it’s frustratingly close to being something better.

The idea is solid: take one of the most famous plays ever written and drop it into a contemporary London setting. That approach has worked before. But here, the film feels stuck between honoring the original and updating it. It holds onto the traditional dialogue while placing the characters in a world that demands a stronger, more unified vision. Instead of feeling fresh, it feels unsure of itself.

Ahmed does what he can. He’s clearly committed, and there are moments where you see the film he could’ve been in. The “To be, or not to be” speech—delivered while speeding down a motorway—has energy and confidence. It’s one of the few scenes where the movie wakes up. But even that moment feels like it belongs to a bolder version of this story that never fully arrives.

What’s most disappointing is how much potential goes untouched. Given Ahmed’s background and voice, there was room here to bring a different rhythm and cultural edge to Hamlet. Something raw. Something modern in more than just setting. Instead, the film plays it safe—and safe is the last thing this story should feel.

The supporting cast is solid on paper but uneven in execution. Morfydd Clark’s Ophelia is pushed to the sidelines, lacking the emotional weight the role deserves. Art Malik’s Claudius never quite feels dangerous enough, which weakens the central tension. And while Timothy Spall brings some life to Polonius, it’s not enough to lift the material around him.

There are also ideas here—corporate power, social inequality, moral decay—but they’re barely explored. A subplot involving displaced people hints at something meaningful, yet it never becomes part of the story in a real way.

By the time the film reaches its final act, the emotional investment just isn’t there. Not because we don’t know how Hamlet ends, but because this version never gives us a reason to care.

As a modern Shakespeare adaptation, Hamlet (2026) feels like a missed opportunity—well-acted in spots, but ultimately too hesitant to leave a lasting impression.

Final Grade : C

“Hamlet” is in limited release now.