Red Sparrow Review

Red Sparrow is a really good spy thriller, but is a rough viewing experience. This movie is about a Russian ballerina who is sent to a spy school where she must learn to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission is to get close to a C.I.A. agent to find a mole. Jennifer Lawrence gives a good performance in the title role. However, her Russian accent is occasionally distracting and can take you out of the movie. Joel Edgerton gives a great performance as the C.I.A. agent. He has fantastic chemistry with Lawrence and their dynamic is easily the strongest aspect of the film. Matthias Schoenaerts and Jeremy Irons both also give good performances in smaller side roles. Francis Lawrence does an excellent job directing. He handles the rougher material as tastefully as he can. The cinematography by Joe Willems was the standout. This is a beautiful movie to look at. The screenplay by Justin Haythe is good but demands patience. At 140 minutes the story moves at a solid slow pace though it does occasionally drag. I do also want to put a warning that this is a very graphic movie and isn’t for people with a weak stomach. Overall Red Sparrow was a compelling slow burn spy thriller that I was consistently intrigued by.

7.5/10