Ann Hornaday

Washington, D.C.

Movie critic Education: Smith College, BA in government Ann Hornaday grew up in Des Moines and graduated cum laude with a degree in government from Smith College. After working at Ms. magazine as a researcher and editorial assistant, she became a freelance writer in New York City, where she eventually began to write about movies for the New York Times Arts & Leisure section and other publications. In 1995 she became the movie critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas, where she stayed for two years before moving to Baltimore to be the movie critic at the Baltimore Sun. She left the Sun in 2000 and began working at The Washington Post in 2002. She was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism in 2008. Hornaday is the author of “Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies." Professional Affiliations: National Society of Film Critics, Broadcast Film Critics Association

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Latest from Ann Hornaday

Movies

New movies to stream this week: ‘The Banishing,’ ‘Hope’ and more

Watch these new movies from home.

Apr 15, 2021

Movies
Review

HBO documentary ‘Our Towns’ visits 6 American cities and finds unity, not division

Gently optimistic film paints a portrait of a nation characterized by flexibility and compassion.

Apr 13, 2021

Movies
Review

Michelle Pfeiffer reigns over flawed ‘French Exit’ with mesmerizing hauteur

The actress has never been better in a dramedy about a world-weary jet-setter.

Mar 31, 2021

Movies
Review

Idris Elba makes for a charismatic urban cowboy in this familiar but engaging family film

“Concrete Cowboy” is based on the real-life riders of Philly’s Fletcher Street stables.

Mar 30, 2021

Entertainment

Jessica Walter and George Segal personified a time when movies grew up

In “Play Misty for Me” and “Loving,” the actors played deeply flawed people with self-awareness and humanity.

Mar 26, 2021

Entertainment
Perspective

Actors in documentaries used to be taboo. Now they’re the stars.

A recent crop of nonfiction films expands the notion of cinematic reality.

Mar 25, 2021

Entertainment
Perspective

Oscar nominees are more diverse than ever. And that raises more questions about numbers and nuance.

As Hollywood addresses inclusion, we wonder: How will we know when we’re done?

Mar 19, 2021

Movies

New movies to stream this week: ‘Operation Varsity Blues,’ ‘Rose Plays Julie’ and more

Watch these new movies from home.

Mar 18, 2021

Movies
Review

‘The Courier’ is a throwback to the kind of solid yet fun spy thriller they don’t make anymore

Benedict Cumberbatch plays real-life salesman turned spook Greville Wynne.

Mar 17, 2021

Movies
Review

‘The Truffle Hunters’ — a charming documentary about elderly Italian men (and their dogs) who harvest truffles — is the movie we all need right now

The message of this thoroughly entertaining film is simple: Stop and smell the roses.

Mar 17, 2021

About Ann Hornaday

Ann Hornaday grew up in Des Moines and graduated cum laude with a degree in government from Smith College. After working at Ms. magazine as a researcher and editorial assistant, she became a freelance writer in New York City, where she eventually began to write about movies for the New York Times Arts & Leisure section and other publications. In 1995 she became the movie critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas, where she stayed for two years before moving to Baltimore to be the movie critic at the Baltimore Sun. She left the Sun in 2000 and began working at The Washington Post in 2002. She was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in criticism in 2008. Hornaday is the author of “Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies."