In an inspiring cinematic journey, Netflix’s Nyad brings to life the remarkable true story of marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, portrayed by four-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening, and her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll, played by two-time Academy Award winner Jodie Foster. The first trailer for Nyad, debuted exclusively with PEOPLE on September 7, 2023, showcases the tenacity, friendship, and triumph of the human spirit that define this extraordinary tale. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the Oscar-winning filmmakers behind Free Solo, Nyad marks their narrative feature debut, blending their documentary expertise with a powerful scripted drama.
A Dream Rekindled at 60
At the heart of Nyad is Diana Nyad’s audacious goal to complete the “Mount Everest of swims”: a 110-mile open-ocean trek from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. This grueling challenge, which Nyad first attempted at age 28 in 1978, eluded her for decades. After transitioning to a successful career in sports journalism, Nyad found herself at 60, restless and driven to finish what she started. The trailer captures her unyielding determination, with Bening’s Nyad declaring, “I don’t believe in imposed limitations.”
The film opens in Los Angeles on August 22, 2010, as Nyad, now far removed from her athletic prime, decides to pursue the Cuba-to-Florida swim once more. The trailer shows her confronting the skepticism of those around her, including Foster’s Bonnie Stoll, who reminds her, “You tried that when you were 28, and you didn’t make it. You’re 60.” Yet, Nyad’s resolve only strengthens, fueled by a refusal to accept that her time has passed. This narrative of defying age and expectation resonates deeply, making Nyad a story not just about athletic achievement but about the power of perseverance and self-belief.
The Bond of Friendship
While Nyad’s swim is the film’s central focus, the heart of Nyad lies in the profound friendship between Diana and Bonnie. The trailer highlights their dynamic, with Foster’s Stoll serving as both a grounding force and an unwavering supporter. Stoll, a former racquetball champion, met Nyad in their 30s, and their relationship briefly turned romantic before evolving into a lifelong friendship. Together, they co-founded the fitness platform BravaBody and later the non-profit Everwalk, reflecting their shared commitment to health and resilience.
In the film, Stoll is depicted as Nyad’s rock, guiding her through the physical and emotional toll of the swim. The trailer showcases moments of tension and tenderness, as Stoll pushes Nyad to her limits while also providing the emotional anchor she needs. Directors Vasarhelyi and Chin emphasize this bond, with Vasarhelyi noting, “The idea of being able to explore the bond between these two incredible women, who refused to believe that it was too late in their lives to accomplish this extraordinary thing, felt special and important.”
Foster’s performance as Stoll is described as a “burst of warm energy and light,” balancing Nyad’s intense, sometimes abrasive personality with a level-headed pragmatism. Bening, meanwhile, delivers a fearless portrayal of Nyad, capturing her single-minded focus and complex character. Their on-screen chemistry is electric, with critics praising their scenes together as “movie magic.” As Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times noted, “When Bening and Foster are onscreen together, it’s movie magic. They don’t just have chemistry; they’re chemistry professors.”
A Feat of Physical and Emotional Endurance
The trailer underscores the physical demands of Nyad’s swim, a 53-hour journey through treacherous waters teeming with sharks and poisonous jellyfish. Bening’s commitment to the role is evident, as she trained for over a year with Olympic swimmer Rada Owen to master Nyad’s technique. She spent hours in a water tank, often forgoing stunt doubles to ensure authenticity. Director Chin remarked, “Annette was often in the tank for hours at a time because she wanted it to be authentic. The stunt team was blown away.”
Nyad’s real-life swim, completed in 2013 after five attempts, was a historic achievement. She became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage, a feat that cemented her legacy as one of the world’s greatest marathon swimmers. However, the trailer also hints at the controversies surrounding her accomplishment, as some in the marathon swimming community questioned the swim’s legitimacy. The film addresses these criticisms, with Chin stating in a Vanity Fair interview that their investigation found the objections “weren’t valid.”
Beyond the physical challenge, Nyad delves into the emotional and psychological layers of its protagonist. Flashbacks reveal Nyad’s difficult childhood, including her relationship with her stepfather and early experiences with abuse, which shaped her relentless drive. These sequences, while sometimes criticized for their stylized visuals, add depth to Nyad’s character, showing her as both a flawed and inspiring figure.
A Directorial Triumph
Vasarhelyi and Chin, known for their documentaries about extreme athletes, bring a unique perspective to Nyad. Their ability to capture the raw intensity of physical feats translates seamlessly to this narrative feature. The trailer intersperses archival footage of Nyad’s earlier swims with Bening’s reenactments, creating a dynamic blend of reality and drama. A particularly thrilling sequence juxtaposes Nyad’s 1978 attempt with her later efforts, highlighting the parallels and her unyielding spirit.
The directors’ choice to focus on Nyad’s later years, rather than her earlier triumphs, sets Nyad apart from traditional biopics. Vasarhelyi explains, “This film is not about a record. It’s about a woman who wakes up at 60 and realizes she’s not done. And that woman has flaws.” This approach, coupled with a screenplay by Julia Cox adapted from Nyad’s memoir Find a Way, ensures that the film remains grounded in its human elements.
The film’s technical achievements are equally impressive. Cinematographer Claudio Miranda and underwater specialist Pete Zuccarini capture the vastness and danger of the open ocean, while Alexandre Desplat’s score, described as “lovely” by critics, enhances the emotional resonance. Songs like Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart and Roy Orbison’s Crying punctuate key moments, reflecting Nyad’s use of music to stay motivated during her swims.
Critical and Cultural Impact
Since its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 1, 2023, Nyad has garnered widespread acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 85% approval rating, with critics praising Bening and Foster’s performances. The film’s uplifting narrative and focus on older female protagonists have been lauded as refreshing in a Hollywood landscape often dominated by younger characters. Leonard Maltin named Nyad one of his favorite films of 2023, calling it “a compelling biopic that soars” thanks to its leads and smart direction.
Both Bening and Foster received nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively, at the 96th Academy Awards, among other major awards. Their performances have sparked Oscar buzz, with many believing Bening, who has yet to win an Oscar, may finally claim the prize. Posts on X echo this sentiment, with users like @cinefiliacult calling Bening “a powerhouse” and Foster’s performance “obligatory viewing.”
However, Nyad is not without its critiques. Some reviewers, like those at Entertainment Weekly, argue that the script tries to cover too much, resulting in a cluttered narrative. Others note that the film’s stylized flashbacks and visual effects can feel distracting. Despite these flaws, the consensus remains that Bening and Foster’s performances elevate the material, making Nyad a must-see.
A Story of Inspiration
Nyad is more than a sports biopic; it’s a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and defying societal expectations. The trailer encapsulates this spirit, showing Nyad’s journey as both a personal triumph and a collective effort, with Stoll and a dedicated team—including navigator John Bartlett (Rhys Ifans)—playing crucial roles. As Nyad herself told Time, her story is about more than swimming: it’s about embracing challenges and inspiring others to do the same.
The film’s release in select theaters on October 20, 2023, and on Netflix on November 3, 2023, brought this inspiring story to a global audience. For fans of Bening and Foster, Nyad offers a chance to see two acting legends at the peak of their craft. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that it’s never too late to chase a dream. As the trailer concludes with Nyad emerging from the water to cheers and rainbow flags, it’s clear that her story—and the bond she shares with Stoll—will leave a lasting impact.
