The Novice is a 2021 drama movie written and directed by Lauren Hadaway. Starring Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan).
The dark side of the competition. A portrait of the obsession.
The Novice. Plot
Alex Dall (Isabelle Fuhrman) is a queer college freshman who 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. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself to her limits—and beyond, alienating everyone around her in the name of success. (Filmaffinity)
Movie Reviews
- “There’s a dampness to certain scenes, as if the sweat of the characters has spilled onto the screen. In ‘The Novice’, these qualities create a full, nightmarish sensory experience.” Jourdain Searles: The Hollywood Reporter
- “The filmmaker depicts Alex’ freshman year in quick-cutting, frenetic, anxiety-ridden fashion, with string-heavy score properly ratcheting up the tension” Craig D. Lindsey: AV Club
“Fuhrman is fantastic. Her frustration and determination are scary on their own, so coupling her performance with Hadaway’s stylistically sensory choices only makes it more intense an experience” Jared Mobarak: The Film Stage
Movie Trailer
Cast & Crew
The Novice (2021)
Movie title: The Novice
Date published: January 20, 2022
Director(s): Lauren Hadaway
Summary
The dark side of the competition. A portrait of the obsession.