The opening scene of Nyad (2023) is a stark, hypnotic image: Annette Bening as Diana Nyad, her face etched with determination and exhaustion, cuts through the dark ocean waters. It’s a visceral introduction to a film that hinges on its central performance and the grueling physicality of its subject.

Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin—known for their gripping documentary Free Solo—Nyad is a biographical sports drama chronicling the swimmer’s attempts in the early 2010s to achieve an elusive dream: swimming from Cuba to Florida, a journey of over 100 miles. The film leans heavily on Bening’s portrayal of Nyad, a woman pushing her body and spirit to the limit at age sixty. Jodie Foster co-stars as Bonnie Stoll, Nyad’s longtime friend and confidante, providing emotional anchor and narrative counterpoint.

What works best in Nyad is its unflinching focus on the physical and mental toll of Nyad’s quest. Bening delivers a performance that is raw and visceral, capturing the relentless drive and vulnerability of her character. Her portrayal is a masterclass in subtlety; she conveys Nyad’s determination through the smallest of gestures—a clenched jaw, a steely gaze, the way her body tenses before each dive into the unforgiving waters. Foster, too, is excellent, their dynamic adding depth to the film beyond mere sports drama. Their scenes together are infused with an authentic warmth and camaraderie that feels earned, making their friendship the emotional core of the narrative.

The underwater cinematography is immersive, the sound design—particularly Alexandre Desplat’s score—heightens the tension and isolation of Nyad’s journey. These elements combine to create a palpable sense of struggle and triumph. The film’s pacing is deliberate, mirroring the slow, methodical progression of Nyad’s swims. Each attempt is a test of endurance, not just for Nyad but for the audience as well. The directors’ documentary background serves them well here, lending a raw, unfiltered quality to the scenes that heightens their authenticity.

Yet Nyad falters when it strays from its central premise. The documentary footage interspersed throughout feels jarring, disrupting the narrative flow without adding substantial depth. These inserts seem like an afterthought, a half-hearted attempt to ground the story in reality but ultimately serving only to pull the viewer out of the film’s immersive experience. Moreover, the film occasionally succumbs to sentimentality, glossing over the controversies surrounding Nyad’s achievements—controversies that could have added complexity and nuance to her story.

The film’s underlying theme of defying age is handled with sincerity, but it lacks originality in its execution. The structure of the sports biopic feels familiar, and while Bening and Foster elevate the material, they can’t fully transcend genre conventions. Nyad ultimately plays it safe, avoiding the darker, more conflicted edges that might have made it truly compelling.

Thematically, Nyad explores the boundaries of human potential and the power of perseverance. It’s a story about pushing past societal expectations and redefining what it means to be an athlete at any age. The film also delves into the complexities of female friendship, portraying a bond that is both supportive and challenging. However, these themes are handled with a broad stroke, never quite delving deep enough to leave a lasting impact.

Comparatively, Nyad sits alongside other sports biopics like Foxcatcher (2014) and The Imitation Game (2014), but it lacks the nuance and depth of those films. Where Foxcatcher explored the darker side of ambition and The Imitation Game delved into the complexities of genius, Nyad remains content to tell a straightforward tale of triumph over adversity.

In terms of audience appeal, Nyad is for fans of Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, those drawn to stories of late-life achievement, and viewers who appreciate well-crafted but conventional sports dramas. It’s an inspirational film that will resonate with audiences looking for a feel-good story, but it doesn’t offer enough to stand out in a crowded field.

In the end, Nyad is a solid but unremarkable entry in the sports biopic genre. It’s a film for those who enjoy inspirational stories of perseverance and female friendship, but it doesn’t offer enough to stand out in a crowded field.