Grand Theft Hamlet

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Grand Theft Hamlet

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1h 29m

Documentary

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97%

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64 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, two out-of-work actors, Sam and Mark, face a bleak future. Desperate for purpose, they stumble upon an idea: stage Shakespeare's Hamlet within the ultra-violent world of Grand Theft Auto Online. Shot entirely in-game, GRAND THEFT HAMLET explores their attempt to merge classical theatre with a chaotic digital landscape. With stunning visuals and unexpected moments of reflection, this engaging documentary examines how ancient cultural narratives can still resonate in new, virtual spaces, raising questions about art, isolation, and the digital world’s potential for storytelling.

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Critics Consensus

A startling example of using any tools at your disposal to make memorable art, Grand Theft Hamlet's experimental approach does justice by the Bard.

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William Bibbiani

TheWrap

If there is one disappointing element of this moving, amusing, sad and memorable film it’s that it isn’t five hours long.

Jan 18, 2025

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Amy Nicholson

Los Angeles Times

To be an artist, or not to be? That is the question of “Grand Theft Hamlet"

Jan 18, 2025

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Alison Willmore

New York Magazine/Vulture

Grand Theft Hamlet is not just a lark, but a savvy project from stalled-out creatives hoping to make something of all this spare time.

Jan 17, 2025

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Those who love the documentary Grand Theft Hamlet will call it a brilliant and creative conceit. Those a bit more skeptical will call it a gimmick. I think they’re all right, and it’s both.

Jan 24, 2025

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Lisa Laman

Culturess

Grand Theft Hamlet wrings lots of grim laughs out of this material. However, there’s also something unexpectedly relevant about watching Sam and Mark try to craft some unity in a virtual world of guns and debauchery.

Jan 22, 2025

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Aaron Neuwirth

We Live Entertainment

How directors Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls find ways to have the audience eventually get past the off-the-wall layer in front of them and recognize what’s really going on is impressive.

Rated: 7/10

Jan 22, 2025

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Jamarcus

This was a cute movie. Definitely if your a fan of GTA and Shakespeare then give it a look.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

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Yuki

what a heartwarming movie. Hilarious and amazing concept. I hope GTA sponsors them to make more acts like this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

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Paul T

Revisiting the pandemic is a surprisingly funny setting for a look at the need for socialization and goals

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/25

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Kristin P

Honestly delightful. Saw it at IFC and the audience laughed more than any big Hollywood movie I've been to in the last few years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

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Chris M

This was a really interesting examination on Video Games and the people who play them. Also just how the world has shifted in a way that our communities are online as much as in person if not more so in some cases. Also watching all the GTA Online footage made me miss the days me and my friends would go on there and mess around. We never did anything as profound as perform Hamlet, however. But as a player I can also appreciate how impressive a feat that actually is. It was also nice to see a spotlight on a different aspect of this game and it’s fanbase. Not every person who plays Grand Theft Auto is some violent degenerate. Not all of us are going on there just to cause grief and chaos. Some of us just want to mess around with our buddies in a huge digital playground. The guys in this movie took this violent and toxic space and were able to bring people together and create art and I think that’s incredibly admirable. A good and interesting watch even if you haven’t played Grand Theft Auto. Actually especially if you haven’t, watch this and see why people you know are playing this game that is primarily known for it’s toxicity and see that’s there’s much more to it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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Casey C

What I thought would be a quirky lowbrow endeavour turned out to be a surprisingly poignant vignette of life during COVID for those stuck at home.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

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Pinny Grylls

Director

Sam Crane

Director

Sam Crane

Self

Mark Oosterveen

Self

Jen Cohn

Self

Pinny Grylls

Writer

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Grand Theft Hamlet: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, two out-of-work actors, Sam and Mark, face a bleak future. Desperate for purpose, they stumble upon an idea: stage Shakespeare's Hamlet within the ultra-violent world of Grand Theft Auto Online. Shot entirely in-game, GRAND THEFT HAMLET explores their attempt to merge classical theatre with a chaotic digital landscape. With stunning visuals and unexpected moments of reflection, this engaging documentary examines how ancient cultural narratives can still resonate in new, virtual spaces, raising questions about art, isolation, and the digital world’s potential for storytelling.

Director: Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane
Producer: Rebecca Wolff, Julia Ton
Screenwriter: Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane, Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane
Distributor: MUBI
Production Co: Grasp The Nettle Films, Project 1961
Rating: R (Language and Some Violence)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 29m