Hanna

Hanna is an action-adventure and part coming-of-age drama series produced by Amazon that spans three gripping seasons from 2019 to 2021. Boasting a star-studded international cast that includes Joel Kinnaman, who fans might recognize from House of Cards and The Killing, along with seasoned actor Mireille Enos, and introducing Esme Creed-Miles, who plays the titular character, this gripping thriller is based on the 2011 film of the same name.

Joel Kinnaman expertly embodies the role of Erik Heller, a former rogue CIA operative living off-grid in the Polish wilderness. He has dedicated his life to safeguarding and raising young Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles), who is not your average teenager. Born out of a controversial operation and kept hidden from the world, Hanna possesses extraordinary skills, learned from a rigorous training regime by her surrogate father Erik.

In this intense universe characterized by intrigue and danger, Mireille Enos portrays Marissa Weigler brilliantly, a senior operative in the CIA with a complicated relationship with Erik and who is persistently trying to conceal the trail of wrongdoings within the CIA. Her performance strikingly showcases the intense internal struggle between professional duty and personal morality.

The narrative follows a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game across Europe as Hanna and Erik continually escape the clutches of Weigler and her determined team. While Hanna's physical abilities make her a formidable opponent, her naive understanding of the world makes for some of the most engaging moments in the series, as she tries to navigate the complex maze of teenage life and its emotional challenges amidst her tumultuous circumstances.

Beyond the show's clever blend of action and drama, it also presents a poignant exploration of identity and belonging. As Hanna learns more about her origins and the circumstances surrounding her birth, she finds herself grappling with existential questions and an ever-increasing desire to lead a normal life.

The windswept forests and snowy landscapes of Eastern Europe serve as the perfect backdrop for the show's palpable sense of danger and urgency, beautifully couched within Hanna's shifting sense of self-discovery. Interspersed with intense chase sequences, times of quiet reflection, and moments of genuine warmth and humor, each episode keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, adding a layer of depth to each character with every twist and turn.

While the dynamic between Hanna, Erik, and Marissa provides the core of the narrative, viewers quickly learn that the world of Hanna, much like her own identity, isn't so black and white. Throughout the series, we are introduced to an array of characters, each with their own motivations, secrets, and narratives that expertly add to the rich tapestry of the show's narrative and overarching themes.

The direction, acting, and arresting visuals are expertly crafted to deliver a compelling, engaging, and heart-thumping viewing experience. With David Farr, who also co-wrote the 2011 film, serving as the show's writer, the series expands upon the world established in the film. Hanna becomes a more in-depth, nuanced exploration of the characters, their motivations, and the consequences of their actions that makes for a truly captivating television viewing.

The series successfully interweaves elements of action, espionage, coming-of-age, and displacement to deliver a multilayered narrative that is anything but predictable. With arresting performances, high-octane sequences, and thoughtful storytelling that goes beyond your typical thriller, Hanna provides an immersive viewing experience that leaves audiences eagerly awaiting the next episode.

With its potent exploration of humanity, identity, and the age-old struggle between right and wrong, Hanna offers viewers more than just an adrenaline-fuelled ride. It is a thought-provoking portrayal of resilience, self-empowerment and searching for one's place in a world that's constantly shifting beneath one's feet. Whether you're an action aficionado, a drama devotee, or someone who enjoys a deeply engrossing story, Hanna is bound to captivate.