Summary
- Grand Theft Hamlet is a documentary filmed entirely in GTA Online, showcasing actors staging Hamlet in the digital world.
- The film blends Shakespearean performances with the chaos of GTA, appealing to gamers and Shakespeare fans alike.
- While not widely released, Grand Theft Hamlet is a top-reviewed film of 2025, emphasizing human connection and creativity.
One of the year's best-reviewed films has the unique distinction of being filmed entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online. The Grand Theft Auto video game franchise has been going strong since 1997, growing into one of the most successful gaming IPs of all time. GTA 6 is the next promised installment, with its release date expected to be a monumental success for Rockstar and the gaming world, potentially boasting a hefty price tag.
Players have been enjoying Grand Theft Auto 5 for over a decade. The game also spawned Grand Theft Auto Online, and has shown substantial staying power with fans. GTA Online's world is an ever-growing sandbox where gamers can create and share custom content, such as races and games, which they can play with friends or strangers from around the world. However, even with all the creator tools at players' fingertips, the developers likely never expected someone to film an entire movie within their digital world. But that's precisely what happened when a few inspired players chose to mount a Shakespearean production in Los Santos, which ultimately became Grand Theft Hamlet.
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What is Grand Theft Hamlet about?
Grand Theft Hamlet is a documentary written and directed by Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane. It follows Crane and fellow actor Mark Oosterveen as they attempt to fight boredom during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the United Kingdom, logging numerous hours into GTA Online. While playing, actors reminisce about the work they're missing out on due to the pandemic, and then they begin reciting lines from Hamlet, with their in-game avatars belting out Shakespeare's words. The two see their neon-haired avatars sporting mismatched clothes and performing Hamlet on stage at the Vinewood Bowl, and what began as a joke quickly turns into an idea with real weight behind it. What if they produce and stage a live performance of Hamlet entirely in Grand Theft Auto with other players and out-of-work actors?
With that off-the-wall idea fueling their need to perform, Crane and Oosterveen set about casting, often by sending messages to the public lobbies to see if any of the random people playing wanted to audition. Some showed up at the Vinewood Bowl out of curiosity, while others appeared merely to cause mischief. The two begin to slowly but surely find excellent performers to take on the roles in the play, which pushes them into full production. This sends them location scouting all over Los Santos, searching clothing shops for wardrobe, and even dealing with real-world consequences as the production runs into various setbacks.
Why GTA & Shakespeare Fans Can Both Enjoy Grand Theft Hamlet
While an entire film set within Grand Theft Auto may feel like a niche idea, the documentary accomplished something unique that appeals to more than just gamers or Shakespeare fans. For gamers, it lets them see Grand Theft Auto being used in an unconventional way, accomplishing something new in a game that has been explored for 12 years. It even allows for a sense of familiarity. Knowing the locations the characters visit can help instill a sense of community with other players. However, one key element that every gamer can recall is laughing along with friends at the often absurdly fun moments. The documentary captures this throughout production as laughable issues continually plague them, such as seeing the actors delivering an exceptional soliloquy only for someone to shoot them with a rocket from afar.
Shakespeare fans can also find enjoyment in Grand Theft Hamlet, even when the documentary doesn't show the entire play, with much of its runtime dedicated to the events leading up to it. Still, the actors take their jobs seriously, delivering vocal performances that feel as elegant and rehearsed as if they had been on stage. When they perform, it feels sincere. Plus, there are emotional stakes at play. The documentary lets viewers smile along with Crane and Oosterveen's wins, while also hitting them with moments of sadness when they experience setbacks. Critics agree that Grand Theft Hamlet is a charming exploration of creating art and finding human connection, which is both engrossing and humorous. The film holds a stellar 93% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Where To Watch Grand Theft Hamlet
Grand Theft Hamlet won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature when it debuted at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. However, it was not released in the United States until January 2025. It was a modest release, only playing in a few theaters, with a current worldwide box office of $218,040. In February 2025, the film became available on the streaming service Mubi, where it can be watched with a paid membership.
The developers of Grand Theft Auto have gone above and beyond to create a fun playground for their players. Beyond shining a light on that world, Grand Theft Hamlet has found a way to capture the need for human connection, the thirst for art, and unique creativity in ways that can surprise even seasoned gamers. While it may not have had a wide release, it is one of the best-reviewed films of 2025, making Grand Theft Hamlet a movie worth seeking out.
Grand Theft Hamlet
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- March 10, 2024
- Runtime
- 89 Minutes
- Director
- Sam Crane, Pinny Grylls
- Writers
- Sam Crane Pinny Grylls
Cast
-
Sam Crane -
Jen Cohn
-
Mark Oosterveen
-
Gareth Turkington
