Grand Theft Hamlet is a 2024 British documentary film co-directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls. This innovative film chronicles the staging of a live virtual production of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet within the video game Grand Theft Auto Online during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021.
The entire production was executed as a Machinima, with the cast depicted through in-game avatars.
This GTA film premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, winning the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature, and was released theatrically in the UK on December 6, 2024, by Tull Stories. Mubi will stream the film globally, with a US theatrical release slated for January 17, 2025.
Grand Theft Hamlet Age Rating
Grand Theft Hamlet has been rated R by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) for language and some violence.
- Ireland: 15A
- United Kingdom: 15
- United States: R
The R rating suggests that viewers under 17 require parental accompaniment due to the film’s mature themes, strong language, and depictions of violence and drug use.
Parents Guide for Grand Theft Hamlet
Sex & Nudity
The film features content categorized as severe, though it primarily includes crude humor and suggestive animated scenes rather than explicit material.
Violence & Gore
The documentary contains instances of comedic bloody violence, with occasional verbal and visual references to suicide. Despite being staged within a video game, the depictions are graphic and intense.
Profanity
The language used in the film is rated as severe, with multiple uses of strong words like “f**k” and “sh!t,” consistent with the mature tone of the production.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
Scenes of drug use are evident, including a character smoking a bong, aligning with the adult themes of the film.
Frightening & Intense Scenes
There are no frightening or intense scenes. However, crude humor and the mature themes of animated violence and drug use may require parental discretion.
FAQs About Grand Theft Hamlet
Q: What is the premise of Grand Theft Hamlet?
A: The film follows Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen as they produce a live virtual performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet within the video game Grand Theft Auto Online during the UK’s COVID-19 lockdowns.
Q: Why is Grand Theft Hamlet rated R?
A: The film is rated R for its strong language, depictions of animated violence, crude humor, and scenes involving drug use.
Q: How was Grand Theft Hamlet filmed?
A: The documentary was shot entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online using Machinima techniques, with the subjects represented through their in-game avatars.
Q: When and where was Grand Theft Hamlet released?
A: The film premiered at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival and was theatrically released in the UK on December 6, 2024. It will be available globally on Mubi and in US theaters on January 17, 2025.