The Novice (film)

The Novice is a 2021 American thriller film written and directed by Lauren Hadaway (in her directorial debut) and starring Isabelle Fuhrman and Amy Forsyth.

The Novice
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLauren Hadaway
Written byLauren Hadaway
Produced byRyan Hawkins
Steven Sims
Zack Zucker
Kari Holland
StarringIsabelle Fuhrman
Amy Forsyth
CinematographyTodd Martin
Edited byLauren Hadaway
Nathan Nugent
Music byAlex Weston
Distributed byIFC Films
Release date
  • June 13, 2021 (2021-06-13) (Tribeca)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot Summary

A college freshman joins her university's rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost.

Cast

Release

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 13, 2021.[1] There, it won the Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film prize.[2]

In August 2021, it was announced that IFC Films acquired North American distribution rights to the film, which will be released in select theaters and on demand and digital platforms on December 17, 2021.[3]

Reception

Critical response

The film has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 22 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.[4]

Jourdain Searles of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a positive review and wrote, "A film this raw made with such a steady, assured hand only comes along once in a while. We should take notice."[5]

Kate Erbland of IndieWire graded the film a B+ and wrote, "The film’s tense score, from composer Alex Weston, adds to the sense that The Novice is more a horror film than anything else, with a series of intriguing, vintage song choices alternately cutting and upping that tension..."[6]

Hoi-Tran Bui of Slash Film rated it an 8 out of 10 and wrote, "It's an impressive feat of incisively dark tone, even if the plot and characters are little more than shadows."[7]

Alex Saveliev of Film Threat also rated the film an 8 out of 10 and wrote, "Hadaway may be a novice at helming feature-length films, but that doesn’t make her any less of a visionary."[8]

Accolades
Association Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result Ref(s).
Independent Spirit Awards March 6, 2022 Best Film Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker Pending [9][10]
Best Director Lauren Hadaway Pending
Best Female Lead Isabelle Fuhrman Pending
Best Supporting Female Amy Forsyth Pending
Best Editing Lauren Hadaway, Nathan Nugent Pending


References
  1. Goldsmith, Jill (June 13, 2021). "Blisters And Betrayal: 'The Novice' Explores Obsession Through College Rowing – Deadline Studio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. Hipes, Patrick (June 24, 2021). "Tribeca Festival Winners: 'Catch The Fair One' And 'Blind Ambition' Nab Audience Awards, Joining Juried Nods For 'The Novice', 'Brighton 4th', 'Ascension'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. Grobar, Matt (August 6, 2021). "'The Novice': IFC Films Acquires North American Rights To Tribeca Prize Winner, Sets Release Date". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  4. "The Novice". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  5. Searles, Jourdain (July 6, 2021). "'The Novice': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  6. Erbland, Kate (June 14, 2021). "'The Novice' Review: Isabelle Fuhrman Explodes Off the Screen in Intense College Rowing Drama". IndieWire. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  7. Bui, Hoi-Tran (June 24, 2021). "'The Novice' Review: Isabelle Fuhrman Is A Force Of Nature In This Brutal Sports Drama [Tribeca]". /Film. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  8. Saveliev, Alex (June 20, 2021). "The Novice". Film Threat. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  9. Tangcay, Jazz; Lang, Brent (2021-12-14). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
  10. "These are the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominees". Film Independent. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
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