The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Tomatometer 7 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings

The American is based on the story of Joy Womack (Talia Ryder), one of the very few Americans ever accepted into Russia's elite Bolshoi Ballet. Testing the limits of dedication, determination, sacrifice and virtuosity, Joy's brilliance is an inspirational journey into the most competitive, hostile dance school in the world. Spurred on by Tatiyana Volkova (Diane Kruger), the Bolshoi's magnetic and masterful tutor, and the searing passions of first love, Joy's leap into the unknown touches immortal perfection. But at what price?

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The American

Critics Reviews

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The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Tina Kakadelis Beyond the Cinerama Dome The American celebrates such a delicate art, but is a bloody tale about the cost of obsessively reaching for perfection. Nov 19, 2024 Full Review The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Philip Bagnall Loud and Clear Reviews The American may not hold a lot of surprises, from an artist getting a big break, to letting their workaholism and confidence undermine them, to a fall before redemption. Still, it’s worth seeking out for Ryder’s performance. Rated: 3/5 Nov 16, 2024 Full Review The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Jackie K. Cooper jackiekcooper.com A "Black Swan" wannabe. Rated: 5/10 Nov 4, 2024 Full Review The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Dave Golder Radio Times Featuring choreography by Womack herself, this is a rich visual feast with a bitter, edgy core and an excellent ensemble cast led by a fully committed [Talia] Ryder. Rated: 4/5 Sep 24, 2024 Full Review The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Mark Jackson Epoch Times These Bolshoi girls are beautiful on the outside and as cutthroat as gangsters inside ... I like the Chinese classical dance where spirit leads form, so that form is imbued with spirit. Hopefully ballet incorporates that philosophy again someday. Rated: 3.5/5 Jul 14, 2024 Full Review The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Graeme Tuckett Stuff.co.nz Dance... lends itself almost too perfectly to film – and Robertson and his crew have maybe set a new benchmark with Joika for just how excruciatingly well the physicality and the stresses of dance – ballet especially – can be put on screen. Rated: 4.5/5 May 26, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Dash M Utterly riveting. Beautifully shot, great acting. The score was wonderful. Very unpredictable story. Myself and my partner were spellbound watching this. I read they used Poland as a double for Russia, but having been to Moscow before, it was very convincing. Top 10 film for me. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/24 Full Review Audience Member A powerful true story about resilience and determination set in the world of ballet in Russia. Life never turns out the way you expect it. But it doesn't mean you can't win. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/13/24 Full Review Matthias T Very powerful storytelling. Confronting at moments, but well worth watching and emotionally powerful, has stayed with me long after Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/27/24 Full Review Sharon H Loved this movie... very intense, stunning to look at, music was amazing. Gets quite dark at times. A very powerful emotional ride. Highly recommend Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/26/24 Full Review Summer M Why can’t they just hire dancers to play dancers?! We’re supposed to believe that the only American to get into the Bolshoi can’t even dance on point. They keep showing her toes bleeding, but that doesn’t happen in flat slippers. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review יעל ב Was good. The actress, bring the story the way it is. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/29/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

James Napier Robertson Director Talia Ryder Joy Womack Diane Kruger Tatiyana Volkova Karolina Gruszka Valeriya Lebedev Tomasz Kot Vitaliy Ivanov Ewa Rodart Bartender
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The American

The American: Trailer 1 The American: Trailer 1 2:06 View more videos

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The American

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Synopsis The American is based on the story of Joy Womack (Talia Ryder), one of the very few Americans ever accepted into Russia's elite Bolshoi Ballet. Testing the limits of dedication, determination, sacrifice and virtuosity, Joy's brilliance is an inspirational journey into the most competitive, hostile dance school in the world. Spurred on by Tatiyana Volkova (Diane Kruger), the Bolshoi's magnetic and masterful tutor, and the searing passions of first love, Joy's leap into the unknown touches immortal perfection. But at what price?

Director
James Napier Robertson

Producer
Paul Green, Tom Hern, Belindalee Hope, Philip Rose, Klaudia Śmieja

Screenwriter
James Napier Robertson

Distributor
Vertical

Production Co
Ingenious Media, Madants, Four Knights Film

Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
May 17, 2024, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
May 17, 2024

Runtime
1h 50m
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The American (2023) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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