Hanna Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Raised by a rogue CIA agent in the Finnish wilderness, a teenage girl becomes a super assassin, then discovers that the real challenge is navigating awkward teenage sleepovers and the horrors of European tourism.

🍿 Hanna: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Isolated Upbringing

Hanna, a teenage girl, lives with her father, Erik, in the Finnish wilderness. Erik, an ex-CIA operative, has trained Hanna in combat, survival skills, and languages since she was a young child. She is highly skilled but naive to modern society, having never encountered electricity or modern technology. This sets the stage for her inevitable clash with the outside world and the secrets of her past.

Activating the Beacon

Feeling ready to confront their enemies, Hanna activates a hidden radio beacon, alerting the CIA to their location. Erik warns her that this decision is irreversible and that Marissa Wiegler, a ruthless intelligence operative, will stop at nothing to eliminate them. This act propels Hanna into a dangerous journey across Europe, pursued by Marissa and her agents.

Escape and Encounters

Captured and taken to a CIA black site in Morocco, Hanna quickly escapes, demonstrating her deadly skills. While on the run, she encounters a British family on holiday, experiencing normal teenage life for the first time. This encounter exposes Hanna to friendship, affection, and the complexities of human relationships, contrasting sharply with her isolated upbringing and assassin training. This interlude is short lived as Marissa closes in.

Truth and Confrontation

Hanna eventually reunites with Erik in Berlin, learning the truth about her origins. She discovers she is not Erik’s biological daughter but was part of a CIA program to create genetically enhanced super-soldiers. Erik had rescued her and her mother, Johanna, from the program years ago. This revelation sets the stage for a final confrontation with Marissa, who is determined to eliminate all traces of the failed program.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hanna (Saoirse Ronan): A sixteen-year-old girl raised in the wilderness to be a highly skilled assassin, experiencing the world for the first time while on a dangerous mission.
• Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett): A ruthless CIA operative with a personal vendetta, determined to eliminate Hanna and cover up a clandestine program.
• Erik Heller (Eric Bana): A former CIA operative and Hanna’s father, who trained her in isolation to protect her from his past and a dangerous enemy.
• Isaacs (Tom Hollander): A deranged and ruthless former agent hired by Marissa to hunt down Hanna and Erik, adding a layer of unpredictable violence.
• Sophie (Jessica Barden): A teenage girl from a bohemian family who befriends Hanna, offering her a glimpse into normal adolescent life and human connection.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hanna: “I just missed your heart.” – Hanna says this calmly to a soldier after shooting him, showcasing her precision and lack of emotion regarding violence.
• Erik: “From now on, every time you see someone, they will want to kill you.” – Erik warns Hanna about the dangers of the outside world, highlighting the constant threat she faces.
• Marissa Wiegler: “Adapt or die.” – The film’s tagline, spoken by the ruthless agent Marissa, emphasizing the harsh reality of Hanna’s world.
• Hanna: “Music: A combination of sounds with a view to beauty of form and expression of emotion.” – Hanna recites this definition during the end credits, showing her newly acquired understanding of human experience after encountering music for the first time.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $40,259,119
• Worldwide Gross: $63,782,078

💥 Hanna Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Hanna! The film had me hooked from the start. Saoirse Ronan is mesmerizing as Hanna, especially in how she portrays both innocence and deadly skill. The scene where Hanna experiences electricity for the first time was fascinating to watch. The action was intense, and The Chemical Brothers’ soundtrack gave every scene an extra kick. Definitely a must-see for any fan of action thrillers with a unique twist.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers with strong female leads”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories with a dark twist”
  • “Audiences who appreciate stylish cinematography and unique soundtracks”
  • “Those who enjoy movies with fairy tale elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Hanna is a thrilling, visually arresting action film that combines the intensity of a spy thriller with the introspective nature of a coming-of-age story. Ronan delivers a powerhouse performance as a young assassin grappling with her humanity.
• Rolling Stone: “Director Joe Wright crafts a stylish and suspenseful film that defies genre conventions. While the plot may have some implausible elements, the strong performances and kinetic action sequences make it a worthwhile watch.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Hanna is an entertaining and thought-provoking film. Saoirse Ronan is magnetic as a trained assassin. Cate Blanchett is perfectly chilling. Wright’s direction brings both grit and style, making for a unique action experience.

Audience Reactions

The unique blend of action and coming-of-age themes really resonated with viewers.: Most people praised Saoirse Ronan’s performance and the film’s stylish direction.

Many viewers found the soundtrack by The Chemical Brothers to be particularly memorable and fitting.: The soundtrack was praised for its atmospheric and driving beats, perfectly complementing the film’s tone.

Overall Consensus: Hanna is generally well-received as a stylish and engaging action thriller, with particular praise given to Saoirse Ronan’s performance and the unique blending of genres. It’s a fresh take on the assassin story.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Saoirse Ronan trained extensively with Dan Inosanto, a protégé of Bruce Lee, for four hours a day over two months to prepare for the physically demanding role.”
• “The film was shot on location in several countries, including Finland, Morocco, Spain, and Germany, adding to the authenticity of Hanna’s journey across Europe.”
• “The Chemical Brothers composed the film’s score, bringing a unique electronic sound that heightened the tension and action sequences.”
• “Director Joe Wright wanted to create a modern fairy tale with Hanna, drawing inspiration from Grimms’ Fairy Tales, which are also referenced within the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Hanna?

Hanna is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video with a subscription or rent/purchase it. It’s also available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Hanna, you might like these similar films:

• La Femme Nikita (1990): Both films feature a young woman trained as an assassin who grapples with her humanity.
• The Bourne Identity (2002): Shares themes of rogue agents, government conspiracies, and highly trained individuals on the run.
• Leon: The Professional (1994): Features a young girl being mentored by a professional killer, forming an unlikely bond.
• Atomic Blonde (2017): Female led action movie set during the cold war with lots of fight scenes.

🛒 Hanna Related Products

• Hanna (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – The Chemical Brothers: Immerse yourself in the soundscapes of Hanna with this digital download of The Chemical Brothers’ intense and atmospheric score. Perfect for fans of electronic music and film scores alike.
• Hanna Movie Poster: High-quality print featuring the iconic poster art from the film. A great addition to any movie buff’s collection, showcasing the striking imagery of Hanna.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Hanna – Hanna Vinyl Figure: Add Hanna to your Funko Pop! collection! This vinyl figure is inspired by Hanna in the movie. It features the young super-soldier in her iconic look, ready for action.
• Survival Gear Kit – Movie Inspired: A survival kit inspired by the movie ‘Hanna’, includes a compass, knife, and first-aid supplies. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, prepare for the unexpected challenges with this high-quality set, much like Hanna.

🎧 Soundtrack

Hanna features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hanna’s Theme” – performed by The Chemical Brothers
• “Escape 700” – performed by The Chemical Brothers
• “The Devil Is in the Details” – performed by The Chemical Brothers
• “Container Park” – performed by The Chemical Brothers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Everything GREAT About Hanna!

Hey, want to check out a video that gives a glowing review of the film Hanna? This video essay digs into all the things that make this movie great, from its stunning visuals to its heart-pounding action.

Hanna movie review

Curious about what a professional movie critic thinks of Hanna? Check out this review by Jeremy Jahns. He gives his honest opinion on the film, discussing both its strengths and weaknesses.

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