New Trailer for Riz Ahmed’s ‘Hamlet’ Film Set in Modern Day London
by Alex Billington
February 24, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Woe is me to have seen what I have seen.” Vertical has debuted a new official US trailer for this new take on the Shakespeare classic Hamlet – it 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 last year to very mixed reviews. TIFF states: “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 Shakespeare film stars Riz Ahmed as Hamlet, with an impressive ensemble featuring Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn, Timothy Spall, Art Malik, Sheeba Chaddha, & Avijitt Dutt. With cinematography by Stuart Bentley. This looks interesting but not exactly the most exciting film. Out in US theaters this April if anyone’s curious anyway.
Here’s the new US trailer (+ poster) for Aneil Karia’s new take on Hamlet, direct from Vertical’s YouTube:
You can rewatch the other UK trailer for Aneil Karia’s Hamlet movie right here to view even more footage.
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 opened Aneil Karia’s Hamlet film in UK theaters on February 6th, 2026. Opening in the US starting on April 10th, 2026. Who wants to watch?
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