
YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Stephen Graham, Kim Bodnia, Christopher Eccleston, and Glenn Fleshler
Director: Joachim Rønning

PAIGE

Young Woman and the Sea is an optimistic and inspiring tale that is swimmingly better than last year’s Nyad. With such grace and purpose, Daisy Ridley dons Trudy Ederle's (the first woman to swim across the English Channel) swim cap in what might be her best performance to date. Despite being a cliché sports biopic, this tale has heart and is a welcome diversion from Disney's usual IP movies. In the end, this is an empowering movie about triumphing over hardship and pursuing your dreams, which we can all relate to in some way.

KATIE

Young Woman and the Sea is a solidly entertaining, if cliché and predictable, sports drama telling the story of Trudy Ederle (Daisy Ridley), the first woman to swim the English Channel. The film has a crowd-pleasing, old-fashioned appeal, with an emotive score, incredible production value, and uncomplicated, charming characters who are easy to root for, especially as the uplifting story culminates in a gripping third act. The whole cast is fantastic, particularly Ridley, who is perfectly cast as the plucky, fiercely determined Ederle, and it's great to see her shine in a film that understands and elevates her talents.

PRESTON

Young Woman and the Sea tells the true story of Trudy Ederle’s (Daisy Ridley) attempt to swim across the English Channel. The story is engaging and charming while touching on themes of feminine empowerment and overcoming adversity, all done with adequate gravitas without overdoing it and potentially disenchanting younger viewers. Great performances are turned in by the entire cast, and while you can’t expect a break from the classically, semi-saccharine nature of the Disney model, you will be glad that they stuck to their successful formula here.