Review: Hanna, season 2

Esme Creed-Miles in Hanna

Hanna brings 8 new episodes of psychological drama, action-packed excitement, and unpredictable twists to season 2 of this Amazon Original. There are minor spoilers ahead.

Hanna begins season 2 in the forest, in almost the same way season 1 began. Except it’s Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) and Trainee 249, AKA Clara (Yasmin Monet Prince), hiding there.

Esme Creed-Miles and Yasmin Monet Prince in Hanna

They are captured and returned to the training facility. Later they are taken to another facility in England where their final socialization happens.

The first part of the season is devoted to the trainees learning their new names and fake life stories. It’s a bit creepy how some of the young women step into believing their new lives. The parents and siblings offered as world building are very tempting. Others know it’s fake, but pretend for the sake of their training and future missions.

They are watched every second. An officer named Terri (Cherrelle Skeete) chats with them on social media – pretending to be a mother or a sister or a father – as she analyzes each one for strengths and vulnerabilities.

Esme Creed-Miles as the lead character is very good at being smarter and braver and tougher than everyone else.

Hanna isn’t the docile lamb the others are, even with the drug insert in her arm. She was out in the world in season 1. She remembers Erik as her father. She stays in her own mind. She’s always looking for ways to escape, and she wants to take Clara with her. The trainers watch her and are excited by her skills, but she isn’t who they think she is.

In the second part of the season, several of them are sent on their first mission. Hanna and Clara are part of this team. They go in search of a man with a list of targets for assassination. The list would destroy their project if released and the man plans to give it to a reporter.

Dermot Mulroney and Mireille Enos in Hanna

John (Dermot Mulroney) is in charge of the facility in England. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? It’s hard to tell from episode to episode.

Marissa (Mireille Enos), who wanted to keep Hanna away from the training in season 1, is still trying. She’s back inside the team, but also working outside the rules with support from a secret group. It’s unclear why Marissa wants Hanna away from there so badly, but she is committed to it. Mireille Enos is brilliant at adding mystery and suspense. Like Hanna, Marissa holds two truths within her every move.

Everything about this series is well done. The actors, the settings, the writing, the look of it. As the episodes progressed, I thought again and again, “Man, this is good.” It has an internal heat that generates danger even in the most mundane situations such as a group of trainees eating in a cafeteria.

The series was created by David Farr. He keeps the tension and suspense high in this drama by being unpredictable and mysterious. There are plenty of action and fight scenes. Six of season two’s episodes were directed by Ugla Hauksdóttir and Eva Husson. Hat tip to these women directors.

There’s an exciting climax, set in Barcelona. Then Esme Creed-Miles delivers the line, “Now what?” which suggests she’s ready for a 3rd season which I hope will include Mireille Enos, Dermot Mulroney and Yasmin Monet Prince. Bring it on!

poster for Hanna

Here’s the season 2 trailer.

What did you think of this thriller?

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