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Biographical drama

Nyad (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Nyad (2023) movie poster

Nyad is a 2023 biographical drama directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, starring Annette Bening as Diana Nyad, Jodie Foster and Karly Rothenberg. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $16,056 worldwide. It was nominated for 2 Oscars. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
worldwide gross
$16.1K
award nominations
7
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Nyad (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , Sport
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Nyad About?

The premise of Nyad without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Driven by a lifelong ambition and a desire to overcome past defeats, Diana Nyad attempts the daunting 110-mile swim from Cuba to Florida at the age of 60. This inspiring drama follows her challenging journey, fueled by an unwavering determination to become the first person to complete this seemingly impossible feat and achieve a place in history.

Nyad Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lesbian
  • swimming
  • lesbian protagonist
  • platonic lesbian friendship
  • friendship between women
  • 2010s
  • swim
  • ocean
  • lesbians
  • lesbian interest
  • lgbt interest
  • rainbow flag
+38 more
  • female female embrace
  • lesbian athlete
  • diana nyad character
  • marathon
  • based on real people
  • year 2013
  • cuba
  • florida
  • based on autobiography
  • 21st century
  • water
  • life
  • career
  • journey
  • cage
  • buttock nudity
  • docudrama drama
  • aquatic sport
  • united states of america
  • inspiring
  • nudity
  • single woman
  • female female relationship
  • friendship
  • female bonding
  • latino
  • bare chested male
  • female protagonist
  • female swimmer
  • open sea
  • flag
  • strong female lead
  • headstrong
  • perseverance
  • courage
  • brave woman
  • swimming in open water
  • living water
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Cast & crew

Nyad Cast & Characters

Annette Bening leads the cast as Diana Nyad, with Jodie Foster as Bonnie Stoll and Karly Rothenberg. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin; 20 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Nyad Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Nyad 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 63 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).

73 /100

Nyad Echo Score Breakdown

Nyad delivers a professionally crafted sports biopic that balances strong lead performances with polished technical execution. The film’s direction and cinematography vividly capture open-water challenges, while the screenplay frames themes of resilience and teamwork. However, reliance on biopic conventions and expository scenes tempers originality, and episodic pacing occasionally fragments narrative coherence. Overall, Nyad offers an inspiring true story, though it adheres closely to familiar genre formulas.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, Nyad demonstrates confident direction and polished technical execution. The editing and cinematography effectively capture the ocean’s expanse, and visual effects and production design bring authenticity to the swim sequences. While occasional flashback transitions disrupt pacing, the overall cohesion of the film’s visual style reflects professional craftsmanship and immersive world-building.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    Regarding character and emotion, Nyad is anchored by strong performances that highlight resilience and relational depth. Annette Bening and Jodie Foster display genuine chemistry and nuanced portrayals of perseverance. Secondary figures receive limited exploration, and occasional expository dialogue undercuts deeper insight. Nevertheless, the film’s emotional core remains compelling through its depiction of Nyad’s tenacity and the bond sustaining her journey.

  • Story & Flow 60

    When it comes to story and flow, Nyad follows familiar sports-biopic conventions with an emphasis on overcoming adversity. The pacing sustains momentum toward the climactic swim, but predictable structuring and expositional scenes reduce narrative tension. Flashbacks and thematic diversions sometimes fragment coherence, yet the central arc remains engaging, delivering a clear, if conventional, progression that underscores perseverance.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, Nyad offers an immersive audiovisual palette. The sound design and score heighten oceanic suspense, while underwater cinematography and precise animations convey scale effectively. Production design and archival inserts integrate smoothly. Occasional tonal shifts between realistic footage and dramatization may feel uneven, but the film’s layered visual and auditory elements sustain engaging atmospheric depth.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    Regarding rewatch factor, Nyad presents moderate replay value. The lead performances and compelling swim sequences invite further views, especially for genre enthusiasts. However, narrative predictability and episodic pacing limit fresh revelations on repeat watches. The film’s inspiring moments retain some appeal, though reliance on familiar beats and a conventional structure reduce its long-term allure for subsequent screenings.

Plot

Nyad Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Nyad from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2010, a determined Diana Nyad, played by Annette Bening, sets out to achieve the unfulfilled dream of her youth: a 110-mile nonstop swim from Cuba to Florida, a challenge she had previously attempted but failed thirty years ago. Once a champion swimmer, Diana accomplished significant feats like traversing Capri to Naples, swimming 32 miles across Lake Ontario, and navigating 89 miles from the Bahamas to Florida, which was a record at that time. As she turns 60, she seeks a spectacular finale to her swimming career, one that eluded her previously.

Full summary

The whole story of Nyad, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Nyad Box Office

Nyad grossed $16,056 worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$16.1K

International
$16.1K
Awards

Nyad Awards & Nominations

Nyad was nominated for 2 Oscars. The 7 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

7 nominations4 ceremonies

Quiz

How Well Do You Know Nyad?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was Diana Nyad's lifelong swimming goal?

Details

Nyad Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “نیاد” and “泳不放弃”.

Also known as
  • نیاد
  • 泳不放弃
  • 奈德
  • Insubmersible
  • 나이애드의 다섯 번째 파도
  • NYAD - Oltre l'oceano
  • ניאד
  • Наяд
  • ナイアド ~その決意は海を越える~
  • NYAD: ว่ายเพื่อฝัน
  • Νταϊάνα Νάιαντ
  • 泳不放棄
+4 more
  • ديانا نياد
  • Диана Наяд
  • Najada
  • Ниад

Seen Nyad?

FAQ

Nyad FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Nyad, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Nyad?

Nyad runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was Nyad released?

Nyad was released on October 20, 2023.

Who directed Nyad?

Nyad was directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.

More films by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Who is in the cast of Nyad?

Nyad stars Annette Bening as Diana Nyad, Jodie Foster as Bonnie Stoll and Karly Rothenberg, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Nyad make at the box office?

Nyad grossed $16,056 worldwide.

How is Nyad rated?

Nyad has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Was Nyad nominated for any awards?

Nyad received 7 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Nyad have a post-credit scene?

No. Nyad has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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