A handsome spy thriller that drags and rarely thrills.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
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Critic consensus
Critical reception for Red Sparrow is largely negative, with most reviewers finding the film sluggish, uninspiring, and overlong. The film's graphic content drew comparisons to torture porn rather than effective spy thriller tension, and Jennifer Lawrence's Russian accent and performance were singled out as liabilities. One reviewer praised the production values and called it a brilliant character study, but this stands as a minority opinion against a broader consensus that the film fails to generate genuine thrills or emotional engagement. Director Francis Lawrence's handling of the material was also called disappointing given his earlier work.
1 not-rated review isn't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 5 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
Director Francis Lawrence burst onto the scene with interesting titles like Constantine and I am Legend a decade ago — it's disappointing to see him tackle insipid stuff like the Hunger Games movies and now Red Sparrow.
Film review ·
Technically with ace production values, the film is aesthetically mounted. Overall, the film is entertaining and is a brilliant character study of an efficient spy.
Film review ·
A torture porn with the sensibility of a 50 Shades… like erotic fantasy, Red Sparrow fails to take flight as the chilling spy thriller, you'd expect it to be. Even a decent climax is unable to salvage a sluggish buildup. Jennifer Lawrence's terrible Russian accent and deadpan act, don't help either. Despite the genre and an attractive cast, the film's mind games are way too tiring and uninspiring to arouse any emotions or thrill.
Film review ·
There are a couple of scenes of graphic torture and violence. Red Sparrow will leave you cold.
Film review ·
Clocking in at more than two very long hours, Red Sparrow should have been shorter, simpler and a lot more entertaining.
Credits
Jennifer LawrenceDominika Egorova
Joel EdgertonNathaniel Nash
Matthias SchoenaertsVanya Egorov
Charlotte Rampling
Jeremy IronsVladimir Korchnoi
Ciarán HindsAlexei Zyuganov
Joely RichardsonNina Egorova
Mary-Louise ParkerStephanie Boucher
Bill CampMarty Gable
Douglas HodgeMaxim Volontov
Thekla ReutenMarta Yelenova
Sakina JaffreyTrish Forsythe
Sergei PoluninKonstantin
Kristof KonradUstinov
Francis Lawrence
Peter Chernin
Steve Zaillian
Jenno Topping
David Ready
James Newton Howard
Jo Willems
Alan Edward BellEnglish films like Red Sparrow
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