At first glance, Noah Jupe and Jacobi Jupe seem like any other brothers. They grew up bonding over video games, fantasy films, and shared childhood memories. But on screen, their connection becomes something far more devastating. In Hamnet, now in theaters, the real-life siblings deliver performances that have left critics and audiences openly emotional. The film reimagines the private grief of William Shakespeare and the loss that inspired Hamlet, blending historical fiction with intimate family tragedy.
From Brotherly Bond to Cinematic Tragedy
Directed by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet stars Paul Mescal as Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes. At the emotional center of the story is Hamnet, their young son, portrayed with heartbreaking vulnerability by Jacobi Jupe. Noah Jupe appears in the film’s closing act, performing Hamlet in a cathartic stage production that reframes the Bard’s grief through art. Though their characters barely overlap on screen, the brothers’ shared emotional gravity binds the film together.
A Breakout Performance from Jacobi Jupe
Jacobi’s portrayal of Hamnet — a compassionate child who absorbs the pain of those around him — has become one of the most talked-about elements of the film. His quiet bravery as the plague overtakes him culminates in scenes that are difficult to watch without tears.
The young actor credits Zhao and Buckley for supporting him through the emotionally demanding role. Letting go of the character after filming, he says, was almost as hard as playing him. The performance has already earned Jacobi major awards attention, including a Best Young Actor nomination at the Critics Choice Awards — a milestone his older brother reached himself just years earlier.
Noah Jupe’s Hamlet, Reimagined
For Noah, stepping into one of the most famous roles in literature came with its own pressure. His Hamlet appears not as a spectacle, but as a quiet act of healing — a bridge between loss and meaning.
Performing Shakespeare’s iconic soliloquies in a recreation of the Globe Theatre, Noah focused on stripping away modern expectations. His Hamlet feels raw, intimate, and newly alive, echoing the personal grief at the heart of the film.
Watching his younger brother’s death scene later, Noah admits, was “brutal.” Crew members repeatedly told him how deeply Jacobi’s performance moved them — praise that only intensified his anticipation.
Family, Fame, and Not Wanting to “Milk It”
Off screen, the brothers share mutual admiration and playful teasing, but Hamnet has added a deeper layer of respect. Both acknowledge the rare nature of their collaboration — and don’t plan to rush into another.
As awards season approaches, the Jupes plan to attend events together as a family. Wherever the film takes them next, they say, they’ll face it side by side. In Hamnet, their bond isn’t just visible — it’s devastating. And that authenticity is what makes the film linger long after the final curtain falls.
