David Kross delivers a compelling performance in this narrative centered on a young boy ("Michael") who finds shelter from a rainstorm at Hanna's ("Kate Winslet") doorway. It isn’t long before the fifteen-year-old becomes her lover, and she reciprocates by reading to him. He quickly develops an intense attachment, only to be heartbroken when he discovers she has disappeared upon visiting her apartment. The story then jumps forward roughly thirty years, with Ralph Fiennes taking over as he pieces together Hanna’s history; it's revealed that she was convicted for being a brutal Nazi prison camp guard and is serving a life sentence. Throughout her imprisonment, they maintained contact—he would send her tapes to help her learn how to read... Stephen Daldry has created what I believe is a delicate masterpiece here. Winslet is excellent as the story shifts from a youthful romantic experience for the young man to a much darker and more disturbing second act. There's something unsettlingly genuine about Winslet’s portrayal; she moves seamlessly between being a playful, generous—though sometimes difficult—lover for this inexperienced boy and then becoming an unpleasant and seemingly unapologetic woman during her trial. Even so, Daldry manages to evoke just a touch of understanding for her. Was she inherently evil or simply inherently vulnerable – or perhaps both? Did she desire affection as much as the young "Michael" did when they first met? His story is one of emotional emptiness, stemming from a childhood in a large family with a distant and cold relationship with his father, and Kross truly stands out in his role. There’s an initial presence of sexuality, but it doesn't feel exploitative; instead, it serves as exploration—for both individuals—and that intimacy enriches what is ultimately a rather sad story that, while prompting reflection on themes of forgiveness and reconciliation, also made me realize how many people involved in the Nazi system were poorly educated and frightened. It’s also worth noting Bruno Ganz's understated performance as his legal professor "Rohl." This character proves to be an important link for the young man as he grapples with what he believed she was and what he now knows she became. The film unfolds at a deliberate pace, the cinematography is often intimate and lingering, and the production design’s attention to detail also enhances this powerful and moving story that I definitely feel deserves watching.

Source on TMDB