IMDb 7.2 2023 HD

The American

The American

2023
Drama
110 min NR NZ
6.8 / 10
7.2 IMDB

American ballet dancer Joy Womack is accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a great ballerina.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Monika Mazur / Katarzyna Warzecha / Anne-Sophie Puget / Bernard Sierakowski / James Napier Robertson
Starring
Talia Ryder / Diane Kruger / Oleg Ivenko / Natasha Alderslade / Natalia Osipova / Charlotte Ubben / Borys Szyc / Tomasz Kot

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

ambitious rigorous dedicated challenging inspiring disciplined intense artistic competitive sacrifice determined authentic

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Mar 23, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

‘The American’ offers a fascinating, albeit somewhat conventional, look at the sacrifices demanded by a career in professional ballet. Talia Ryder’s performance as Joy Womack is the film’s beating heart, conveying a steely resolve beneath a veneer of…

O
Oliver Finch
Mar 23, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A captivating and unflinching portrayal of artistic ambition, 'The American' succeeds through its commitment to authenticity. Talia Ryder is a revelation as Joy Womack, her every movement and expression speaking volumes about the dancer's internal struggle. The film’s…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Mar 23, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

While 'The American' promises an inside look at the prestigious Bolshoi, it often feels like a familiar tale of an outsider striving against the odds. Talia Ryder delivers a committed performance, conveying Joy's vulnerability and resilience. The film’s…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Mar 23, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a visually arresting piece that plunges us into the rigorous world of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy through the eyes of outsider Joy Womack. Ryder embodies the dancer's relentless drive with a palpable intensity. The film's tone…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 23, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Talia Ryder anchors 'The American' with a performance of quiet determination as Joy Womack, an American dancer aiming for the formidable Bolshoi. The film captures the icy discipline of the academy, with moments of genuine beauty in the…

FAQs

'The American' centres on themes of ambition, perseverance, and the pursuit of artistic excellence. It delves into the immense dedication required to succeed in a highly competitive and demanding field like professional ballet. Viewers can expect explorations of cultural adaptation, the sacrifices made for a dream, and the psychological fortitude needed to thrive within an elite, pressure-cooker environment like the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.