A unique film called Grand Theft Hamlet, created entirely within the world of Grand Theft Auto 5, is coming soon.
Directed by Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls, this documentary showcases two actors who, during the COVID lockdown, decide to perform Shakespeare’s Hamlet inside the game. The film is made entirely from footage of the 2013 classic game by Rockstar, and it’s already collecting accolades. It won a prize at this year’s SXSW and has received heaps of praise from critics as it made its way through film festivals. The 89-minute movie will hit the Mubi streaming platform in 2025, with a theater release planned too.
An innovative, immersive take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, shot entirely inside the world of Grand Theft Auto, Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane’s festival hit GRAND THEFT HAMLET is coming soon to US theaters + streaming globally.
— MUBI (@mubi)
“It’s January 2021. The UK has just entered its 3rd lockdown and all theatres remain closed. For actors Sam and Mark, the future looks bleak,” reads the film’s official website. “As the pandemic drags on Mark who lives alone is increasingly socially isolated, while Sam is panicking about how he is going to support his family. They channel their midlife frustrations by immersing their avatars in the horrifically violent yet beautifully rendered virtual world of Grand Theft Auto Online. They steal cars and shoot strangers, but also find moments of calm reflection walking through meadows of wildflowers. In one gaming session they stumble across a theatre and have an idea. Why not stage Hamlet inside the game?”
The movie’s creators believe it’s a bold and needed exploration, especially as our lives, even ancient arts like theater, shift online. They pose questions about this digital space: its use, potential, and whether an old story can fit into a new, virtual narrative. Los Santos, with its dazzling cityscape and lush countryside, offers stunning visuals that are perfect for filmmaking.
Sometimes, fans wonder how such creative ideas come about, and this film is a great example of thinking outside the box.
So, how do you make a full-length documentary in a video game? Simple—use GTA 5’s in-game phone camera.
Crane and Grylls explained that this method allowed them to capture intimate moments and cinematic views, mixing emotion and beauty with the chaos of the game world.
While Mubi hasn’t given an exact release date, they’ve assured us that both the streaming and theater versions will be out early next year. Meanwhile, Grand Theft Hamlet’s U.K. premiere is scheduled for October 15, with another show on October 20.
Rockstar Games, the creators of GTA 5, have yet to say anything about the documentary.
