Ann Hornaday, Longtime Washington Post Film Critic and Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Dies at 66

Ann Hornaday, the longtime film critic at The Washington Post, died Sunday at her home in Baltimore following a battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. She was 66.

Hornaday spent more than 20 years at the Post, joining in 2002 and leaving in 2025. Over the course of her time at the Post, she wrote hundreds of reviews, in-depth profiles and stories, including deep looks at films like “The Hurt Locker,” “Jaws” and “Oppenheimer.”

“For many years, Post readers were blessed by Ann’s informed, insightful, warm, accessible, and totally unique voice,” said Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray in a statement published by the paper. “Reading her work was like talking with a close — if much more knowledgeable — friend.”

Hornaday was a 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalist in criticism, submitting her review of “There Will Be Blood,” among other works, in her finalist package. She also authored “Talking Pictures,” a book about how to watch films, and before her death, a book about the filming of “All the President’s Men.”

Before Hornaday became the influential critic she is remembered as, she worked as a freelance writer in New York, contributing to publications including The New York Times and Premiere magazine. Prior to that, she worked at Ms. Magazine for two years as Gloria Steinem’s personal assistant. She was the film critic for the Baltimore Sun and the Austin American-Statesman before joining the Post.

Ann Mills Hornaday was born March 9, 1960, in Iowa City. At birth, she was adopted by William R. Hornaday Jr. and his wife, Mary Mills. Hornaday grew up in Des Moines and attended Smith College, graduating in 1982 with a major in government.

While a film critic, she was also a parishioner and Sunday school teacher in Baltimore.

She is survived by her husband of 26 years, Dennis Greenia; their daughter, Victoria Greenia; a stepdaughter, Leila Greenia; and a brother, William Hornaday III.