“It Could Rewrite Film History”: Why Chloé Zhao’s New Film Left Hideo Kojima Stunned

Game designer Hideo Kojima has shared his reaction after watching Hamnet, a new drama centered on the family of William Shakespeare. The creator of Metal Gear and Death Stranding attended a special screening and spoke in glowing terms about the work of director Chloé Zhao.

In a post following the screening, Kojima noted that despite its relatively modest runtime, the film manages to encompass universal human emotions that transcend era and culture — and that its final scene left an especially powerful impression on him.

Hamnet is directed by Chloé Zhao, best known for Nomadland and Eternals. The story focuses on Hamnet, the son of William Shakespeare who died in childhood, and the period during which the playwright was working on Hamlet. In parallel, the film explores his wife’s attempts to save their surviving daughter during a plague outbreak.

Did Kojima’s reaction make you more curious about the film — or is this another case where his enthusiasm sounds louder than the movie itself and ends up pushing you away? Share your thoughts.