The Novice

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2:01

The Novice

R

2021

1h 34m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

88 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan) plays Alex Dall, 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. Furhman's fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway's bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in queer storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one's for you.

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Critics Consensus

A remarkable first feature for writer-director Lauren Hadaway, The Novice paints a thrilling -- and disturbing -- portrait of obsession.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

04/04/2022

5/5

I can’t wait to see – and hear – what [Hadaway] does next.

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Elizabeth Wiart

Little White Lies

04/01/2022

4/5

A hard hitting look inside the body and mind of a compulsive perfectionist.

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Linda Marric

The Jewish Chronicle

03/31/2022

5/5

Hadaway delivers an engaging queer psychological thriller which delves deep into the destructive nature of obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

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Sammie Purcell

Rough Draft Atlanta

07/28/2025

Hadaway’s unnerving film tells a familiar story from an unfamiliar perspective, using uncanny sound design and camera work to show the dark side of obsession, resulting in a psychological thriller about an underdog who can’t quite make the cut.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

07/28/2025

1/4

...potentially stirring subject matter that’s employed to progressively underwhelming (and flat-out interminable) effect by Hadaway...

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William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

07/18/2024

4/5

A breathless and harrowing journey through physical and psychological self-torture.

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Gabriel-Alan

@NecronomiconNotes Mar 2

Feels like Black Swan on no sleep and too much pressure. This isn’t about rowing. It’s about that sinking feeling when almost good enough follows you everywhere. Fuhrman makes the spiral feel real.

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Ben W

@Username618 Nov 19

Found this fairly gripping.

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Nathan M

@RT31632855 Sep 7

Just an incredible movie from start to end. A Joaquin Phoenix Joker-like performance from Fuhrman where you can tell she was so invested in the character. A tough watch at times emotionally, but a movie you need to watch 2 or 3 times to fully appreciate.

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Pinoy Short R

@emill_santos 04/09/2025

Sayang oras. Napakalayo naman sa Whiplash.

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Donnette T

@RT31869467 04/04/2025

I felt like I was back in Middle School watching some film by some angsty pre-teen. Barforama

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Les N

@Vegas628 12/18/2024

Good....I guess? Depressing, sure

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The Novice: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan) plays Alex Dall, 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. Furhman's fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway's bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in queer storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one's for you.

Director: Lauren Hadaway
Producer: Ryan Hawkins, Kari Hollend, Steven Sims, Zack Zucker
Screenwriter: Lauren Hadaway
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Picture Movers Anonymous, H2L Media Group, Exit Strategy Productions
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Language|Brief Disturbing Material)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 17, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.0K
Runtime: 1h 34m