Red Sparrow

Prima ballerina Dominika Egorova faces a bleak and uncertain future after she suffers an injury that ends her career. She soon turns to Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people to use their minds and bodies as weapons. Dominika emerges as the most dangerous Sparrow after completing the sadistic training process. As she comes to terms with her new abilities, she meets a CIA agent who tries to convince her that he is the only person she can trust.

Critics were broadly split on Red Sparrow, with most agreeing that Jennifer Lawrence's committed performance is the film's chief asset and nearly its only consistent one. Where they diverged most sharply was over the film's treatment of its protagonist: some found the violence and degradation a coherent element of a pulpy spy thriller, while others argued the film lingers on assault and humiliation well past any dramatic purpose. Even reviewers who liked Lawrence's work found the plot convoluted and the pacing punishing.