Summary

Nyad, the first feature film from directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, is an inspiring story of Diana Nyad’s swim from Cuba to Florida, but it lacks depth as a narrative feature. The film focuses heavily on Nyad’s swimming achievements, neglecting other aspects of her life, except for her friendship with Bonnie Stoll. The screenplay lacks depth and fails to explore Nyad’s character fully. Despite its shortcomings, Nyad benefits from a strong cast, with Annette Bening delivering a tenacious performance. The film’s best moments lie in the relationship between Nyad and Bonnie, adding depth and grounding the story.

Nyad tells the incredible story of Diana Nyad’s swim from Cuba to Florida. It’s the first feature film from directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the team behind Free Solo and The Rescue. As such, Nyad is very much a transitional film for the duo. It has a lot of great, empowering moments, but it might have worked better as a documentary. As a narrative feature, Julia Cox’s screenplay doesn’t have much depth. It’s so hyper focused on Diana Nyad’s swimming achievements that it neglects the rest of her life save for her beautiful friendship with Bonnie Stoll. The biopic has its moments, certainly, and it’s stronger thanks to a marvelous cast, but it could have been better had it dived beyond the surface.

After attempting and failing to swim from Cuba to Florida at 28 years old, Diana Nyad (Annette Bening) decides to try the 100-mile swim again decades later. In 2010, and at 61 years old, Diana decided to try the swim again. With the help of her dear friend Bonnie Stoll (Jodie Foster) and John Bartlett (Rhys Ifans), the captain of the boat that accompanied Diana along her journey, Diana attempts to do something no one’s ever achieved before. After a few failed attempts, Diana and her team lose hope, but Nyad is determined to do what she’s always dreamed of doing no matter how long it takes.

Annette Bening and Jodie Foster in Nyad

Nyad has a lot going for it — a great, committed cast, an uplifting story fueled by determination, and quite a few gorgeous shots of Diana in the water. Beyond the surface, there is a lot of heart, but the biopic never reaches its full potential. Its story is fine, but devoid of dimension, compressing Nyad’s life to a singular focus. And while the filmmakers highlight a lovely story about never giving up, I found myself walking away from the film having learned very little about Nyad herself. There are glimpses to past traumas (sexual assault that is thankfully not shown in full) that explain her current state of mind, but it doesn’t paint a full picture.

Nyad is defined solely by what she’s able to accomplish, and it diminishes much of her arc throughout the film. Her determination and personality defy the lack of depth thanks to Annette Bening’s tenacious performance. The actress’ portrayal is compelling, and her performance elevates the weaker aspects of the script. She’s especially great when opposite Jodie Foster, whose Bonnie is more than a member of Nyad’s support system, but a beloved friend who is equally encouraging and honest about the things Nyad doesn’t always want to hear. Rhys Ifans rounds out a fantastic supporting cast, adding a touch of skepticism and love.

Jodie Foster and Rhys Ifans in Nyad

Although Nyad is compelling, watching the titular character swim over and over again does grow exhausting after a while. The tediousness is occasionally broken up by conversations, flashbacks, or arguments, but it isn’t enough to maintain our full attention. The film’s best moments are often found in the dynamic between Nyad and Bonnie, who clearly care very deeply for each other. There’s a lovely spark between them and their relationship helps to ground the film. Vasarhelyi and Chin’s decision to showcase the weariness and struggle of Nyad’s swimming attempts are also great. She embodies the goal of picking yourself up and trying again in the face of adversity. It’s heartwarming and empowering to witness, especially by the end when Nyad finally succeeds.

But certain moments and character dynamics are better than the film as a whole, which struggles to remain interesting. Considering how interesting Diana Nyad’s life actually is, this is a disappointment, and Nyad a disservice to its subject. This isn’t to say there aren’t a few special moments that elevate the film — it shows its greater potential on more than one occasion. But it strips Nyad of her complexities for something a bit too formulaic.

Nyad is now playing in select theaters, and screened as a part of the 2023 Middleburg Film Festival. The film will be available to stream on Netflix November 3. It’s 121 minutes long and rated PG-13 for thematic material involving sexual abuse, some strong language and brief partial nudity.