Simran Hans
The Guardian
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Simran:
Is eco-terrorism now self-defence? Inside explosive film How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Peaceful protest hasn’t stopped the climate crisis, so what should happen next? The makers of a new nerve-jangling film about eight young saboteurs talk about oil, extreme action and morality → Read More
Why I hate end-of-year lists
We think of them as a glimpse into a person’s taste, but they’re more revealing of how that person wants to be seen. → Read More
If you watch only one film … the greatest movies by the greatest directors
Some directors come with such huge back catalogues that it can be hard to know where to start. Enter our film critics, who suggest the best routes in to the works of some of our most prolific film-makers → Read More
X review – Bump’n’grindhouse from horror director Ti West
The film-maker’s latest, about a porn shoot gone wrong, is a playful gore-fest → Read More
Rebellion review – XR documentary makes clear case for direct action
This thoughtful look behind the scenes of the environmental movement doesn’t shy away from internal strife → Read More
Master review – sinister tale of academic prejudice
Director Mariama Diallo uses the visual language of horror to express the terror of racism in this smart debut thriller → Read More
The Phantom of the Open review – in praise of the world’s worst sportsman
Mark Rylance plays a would-be golfer who gatecrashes the Open in this upbeat comedy-drama based on a true story → Read More
Hive review – inspiring Kosovan feminist drama
Yllka Gashi excels as a woman confronting misogyny as she strives to establish a village food business → Read More
Lucy and Desi review – Amy Poehler still loves Lucille Ball in feelgood documentary
With special access to family archives, the Parks and Recreation star explores the life of the 50s comedy trailblazer and her husband, Desi Arnaz → Read More
Against the Ice review – plodding Arctic survival story
An explorer’s bid to prove that Greenland belongs to the Danes proves a tough haul in this glacial adventure set in 1909 → Read More
Rebel Dread review – an engaging portrait of Don Letts
An enjoyable study of the musician, DJ and film-maker could do with fewer talking heads and more joyful tales from Letts himself → Read More
The Batman review – Robert Pattinson’s brooding caped crusader has a lot on his mind
Pattinson is appealingly conflicted, and Zoë Kravitz’s Catwoman adds bite, but Matt Reeves’s noirish reboot underwhelms → Read More
A Bread Factory: Parts One and Two review – Patrick Wang’s cheeky small-town arts comedy
Tyne Daly stars in this fun, surreal double feature about the fight for the soul of a community arts space → Read More
Here Before review – promising Irish almost-horror with Andrea Riseborough
Riseborough plays a grieving mother obsessed with a neighbour’s daughter in Stacey Gregg’s eerie debut → Read More
Dog review – PTSD road trip with Channing Tatum and new best friend
Co-director Tatum charms as an ex-army ranger on a journey with his late buddy’s pet → Read More
Jackass Forever review – pranksters’ return is strangely poignant
Johnny Knoxville and co reunite after a long hiatus for a remarkably funny collection of painful stunts → Read More
My award goes to... our film critics reveal their personal Oscars shortlists
Ahead of the official Academy nominations, Observer film critics pick their own favourites → Read More
Lingui: The Sacred Bonds review – powerful abortion drama from Chad
A single mother’s life has to navigate religious and legal strictures when her teenage daughter becomes pregnant → Read More
Moonfall review – lost in space with master of disaster Roland Emmerich
The moon is knocked out of orbit, along with Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson, in this eye-poppingly silly sci-fi from the German director → Read More
Belle review – gorgeous, big-hearted anime
What would happen if digital avatars were truer reflections of the self, asks writer-director Mamoru Hosoda, in this all-out beautiful film → Read More