3 min readUpdated: Feb 6, 2026 09:18 AM IST Scarlet movie review: Mamoru Hosoda-directed animated fantasy Scarlet is an ambitious attempt to create an epic experience in which the tragic story of Hamlet is given an even darker twist. In this time-bending drama, Princess Scarlet is a medieval-era, expert sword-fighter on a mission to avenge the death of her father. Making the protagonist a furious princess grappling with grief and rage makes the narrative a strong, edgy emotional core. In a nod to the original play, the initial scenes of Scarlet take place in Denmark in the 16th century. King Amleth, Scarlet’s father, who is against wars, is branded as a “traitor” by his brother Claudius (Koji Yakusho) and executed. Scarlet vows vengeance, but poisoned by Claudius, wakes up in the Otherworld. All the people around her in the Otherworld are dead and trying to find their way to eternity. There, Scarlet encounters idealistic Hijiri, a young medic from our present day, who helps her to heal. Also, shows her the possibility of a future free …