As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with a soft spot for the quirky and unconventional, I can confidently say that Grand Theft Hamlet has piqued my interest like no other film in recent memory. With its unique blend of Shakespearean tragedy, video game chaos, and a dash of lockdown-era ingenuity, it’s a cinematic experience that promises to be as unpredictable as the game from which it hails.
Streaming service specializing in art house films is expanding its eclectic collection with a potential contender for the greatest movie based on a video game yet. Over recent years, video game adaptations have gained significant traction, as evident by the success of the Sonic the Hedgehog series at the box office and shows like The Last of Us and Fallout. However, what if instead of creating a film about a video game, someone actually made a film within a video game? Meet… Grand Theft Hamlet.
Under the guidance of directors Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane, Grand Theft Hamlet is a humorous documentary about two unemployed actors staging a version of Shakespeare’s classic play, Hamlet, within the popular video game, Rockstar Studios’ Grand Theft Auto V. In 2021, the UK was in its third lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To stay connected and pass the time, these two jobless actors were utilizing the online platform of Grand Theft Auto V. In an effort to keep the arts alive during this difficult period, they decided to create a performance of Shakespeare’s enduring masterpiece, Hamlet, within the tumultuous virtual world provided by the game.
In the dawn of the 17th Century, it’s unlikely that William Shakespeare would have envisioned his play being staged within a video game – in fact, even uttering the term “video game” during that time might have led to accusations of witchcraft. GTA enthusiasts have been creating their own cinematic productions for quite some time now, leveraging the game’s camera mode, but none have ever received a theatrical premiere. However, Grand Theft Hamlet is making history as it will be distributed by MUBI and will see its release in selected US theaters on January 17.
‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ Has a 94% Score on Rotten Tomatoes
Creating a movie about the making of Hamlet using Grand Theft Auto’s camera mode is quite an imaginative idea, but it’s a whole different ball game for that film to be among the top movies of the year. The film, titled Grand Theft Hamlet, has already made its rounds on the festival circuit and garnered exceptional praise from both critics and viewers. With 36 reviews, it currently boasts an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Jordan from Empire Magazine called the film a “hilariously funny, unanticipatedly emotional tribute to gaming,” combining “the timeless power of art and the advantages of befriending alien invaders armed with bazookas.” Similarly, Marina Ashioti of Little White Lies showered praise on this gaming movie, giving it 4 out of 5 stars, stating:
As a film aficionado, what truly lingers in my memory is their remarkable knack for unearthing depth and profoundness amidst the antics, playfulness, and mischief – yes, even during the gloomiest moments.
In 2025, Grand Theft Hamlet is undoubtedly going to be one of the most peculiar films to hit the cinemas. A sneak peek at the film’s trailer showcases the chaotic escapades that any enthusiast of Grand Theft Auto will find strikingly familiar. It blends Shakespeare’s timeless phrases, such as “To be or not to be,” with scenes of police raids, SWAT teams dropping from helicopters, and futuristic fighter jets. Essentially, we have a movie filmed in a Grand Theft Auto-style setting before the release of GTA VI!
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2024-12-23 16:31