Riz Ahmed is Hamlet in Modern Re-Imagining of ‘Hamlet’ First Trailer
by Alex Billington
December 19, 2025
Source: YouTube
“It’s common, my son. All that lives must die.” Universal UK has revealed an official trailer for yet another new take on the Shakespeare classic Hamlet – this is a South Asian London “re-imagining” or reinvention of the tale of vengeance. Aneil Karia’s Hamlet premiered at the 2025 Telluride, Toronto, and London Film Festivals a few months ago to very mixed reviews. TIFF explains more: “The setting and cultural placement reveal how powerfully the play speaks to issues around identity, intergenerational tensions, contemporary struggles over duty, faith, and belonging. Shakespeare’s words remain — but what’s changed is the ground beneath them. And that shift is everything.” Adding that Riz Ahmed’s “long-standing dream to take on this role, in partnership with Karia, results in a performance that feels both deeply classical and bracingly new.” This new film stars Riz Ahmed as Hamlet, joined by Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn, Timothy Spall, Art Malik, Sheeba Chaddha, & Avijitt Dutt. With cinematography by Stuart Bentley. This looks fascinating but the early reviews make it seem like it may not be the most watchable new adaptation of this classic text.
Here’s the first official UK trailer for Aneil Karia’s new take on Hamlet, direct from Universal’s YouTube:
An electrifying reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set in the world of a British South Asian family in contemporary London. Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) returns to London for the funeral of his father, but is shocked when his uncle, Claudius, announces that he’s marrying Hamlet’s just-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 ultimate role in the family business, but also his own sanity. Hamlet (2025) is directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Aneil Karia, his second feature after making Surge (2020) previously, along with tons of other short films. The screenplay is written by Michael Lesslie; adapted from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”. Produced by James Wilson, Riz Ahmed, Michael Lesslie, Allie Moore, Tommy Oliver. This initially premiered at the 2025 Toronto & London Film Festivals earlier this year. Universal UK will debut Aneil Karia’s Hamlet movie in theaters starting February 6th, 2026 coming soon. No US release date is set yet. Who wants to watch it?
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