The Novice

U.S., 97m, DCP

Showtimes & Tickets

Screened December 17, 2021–January 6, 2022, 2022

Queer college freshman Alex Dall (Isabelle Fuhrman, Orphan) joins her university’s rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself and alienates everyone around her in the name of success. The Novice is a coming-of-age psychological thriller that examines the light and dark side of perseverance in the pursuit of excellence and hits heavily on themes of female empowerment and conquest. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her own personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in queer storytelling. An IFC Films release

Official Selection: Tribeca Film Festival, Outfest Los Angeles

A film by Lauren Hadaway

A film this raw made with such a steady, assured hand only comes along once in a while. We should take notice.”

Jourdain Searles, The Hollywood Reporter

Tense, often electrifying… a story all about the pain of realizing how much further you have to go.”

Kate Erbland, IndieWire