Review of Red Sparrow (2018) by Matthew D — 24 May 2018

You have been warned!

Red Sparrow is the latest spy thriller that will engage and horrify you. It paints a thoroughly condemning portrait of the Russian spy program Sparrow. You see how spy recruits in Russian undergo the most heinous and harrowing indoctrination into espionage. It has depictions of rape, sexual violence, and torture that are disturbing and shocking. Red Sparrow is so well done, but it is hard to watch.

I feel the need to warn viewers that Red Sparrow may very well traumatize and disgust you. If you can get past the visceral sexual scenes, sporadic violence, and anxiety inducing torture, Red Sparrow is quite interesting. All the same, Red Sparrow features some of the incredibly cut and choreographed violence I have ever seen on film.

Director Francis Lawrence is clearly a highly skilled visionary. Lawrence makes even the most monstrous moments look beautiful and the more mundane aspects interesting. Red Sparrow features enchanting cinematography. I have certain images, settings, and frames burned into my mind. Red Sparrow fascinated me. Any audience should appreciate the skillful shots and masterful editing that keeps the movie going. There are many memorable sequences that are filmed with a completely unique style.

The plot is focused around the depths of depravity that Russia will go to in order to achieve results. The violence and information gathering is sudden and intense. It is brilliantly written and quite clever. The narrative itself is complex as are its character portrayals. Red Sparrow delivers on a multi-faceted espionage tale with modern spies. Red Sparrow is closer to Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy or Munich rather than James Bond films. It exists in a class all its own.

Acting-wise, Red Sparrow contains multiple excellent performances, in particularly, Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton lead the fray. Lawrence plays her character strong and intimate with a believable pain. Her Russian accent is not always convincing, but her acting is still interesting otherwise. Edgerton is a great American spy for the United States Embassy in Russia. He is certainly compelling throughout.

I must mention the outstanding supporting cast in Red Sparrow. Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, and Jeremy Irons are absolutely incredible as cruel and callous officials. You really believe their lack of morality as they commit atrocities for their country. Also, Mary Louise Parker's character adds some much appreciated levity as well as more intrigue in the espionage. Even Ciarán Hinds has a neat cameo role. All in all, a stellar supporting cast.

Notably, the music is fantastic throughout all of Red Sparrow. Composer James Newton Howard wrote a marvelous score for Red Sparrow. Every scene is either increasingly gorgeous or tense thanks to the addition of the lovely music. The background music adds an air of distinction to Red Sparrow's atmosphere.

I enjoyed Red Sparrow for the contemporary take on the spy genre. Red Sparrow accomplishes being haunting and imaginative. It is filled with twists, turns, and political intrigue. I found the characters believable and the majority of scenes intense with a breathtaking amount of suspense. If you can cope with the devastating subject matter, disturbing sexual manipulation, and torture sequences, there is a creative spy story herein.