The American

The American

Steps to greatness take you to the edge.

Directed by James Napier Robertson

Produced by Ingenious Media, New Zealand Film Commission

2023110 min6.8 / 10

An inspiring true-story drama about an American dancer's pursuit of excellence at an elite Russian ballet academy, balancing ambition against personal cost.

American ballet dancer Joy Womack is accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a great ballerina.

Questions people ask

  • Does The American end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 81% of films.

  • Is The American violent? Barely. Less violent than 76% of films.

  • Is The American scary? Not especially. Less frightening than 65% of films.

  • Is The American easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 60% of films.

  • Is The American sad? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

56/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity89

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise28

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love60

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like The American

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The American

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The American, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The American, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The American, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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