2023
TV-PG
Netflix
1 h 49 m

2023
TV-PG
Netflix
1 h 49 m

Summary When Australian teenager Jessica Watson sets out to be the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, she must overcome her greatest fear as she navigates the world’s most challenging stretches of ocean. Based on a true story. [Netflix]

Directed By: Sarah Spillane

Written By: Rebecca Banner, Cathy Randall, Jessica Watson, Sarah Spillane

2023
TV-PG
Netflix
1 h 49 m

2023
TV-PG
Netflix
1 h 49 m

True Spirit

Name: True Spirit
Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Family, Sport
Released: 2023-02-03
Duration: 1 min 49 s
Rating: 50
Cast: Alyla Browne, Teagan Croft, Cliff Curtis, Josh Lawson, Anna Paquin

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings

7.6

My Score

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Sarah Spillane

Written By: Rebecca Banner, Cathy Randall, Jessica Watson, Sarah Spillane

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews

33% Positive
2 Reviews

50% Mixed
3 Reviews

17% Negative
1 Review

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Mixed or Average Based on 6 Critic Reviews

33% Positive
2 Reviews

50% Mixed
3 Reviews

17% Negative
1 Review

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Time

Feb 2, 2023

Directed by Australian filmmaker Sarah Spillane, the picture is appealingly breezy, though it does have its share of tense moments involving killer waves and charcoal-toned stormy skies. Mostly, it’s an anthem of teenage independence and daring, the story of one young woman who set her sights on a dream while still a child and willed it into reality just a few years later.

By Stephanie Zacharek FULL REVIEW

Movie Nation

Feb 6, 2023

True Spirit doesn’t add anything fresh to the genre, just fresh faces and Aussie pluck, with even the tunes . . . pretty much on the nose. But that’s what “feel good” movies often are, comfort food, with the occasional surprise, a “darkest hour,” a little pathos and a lot of heart.

By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW

Los Angeles Times

Feb 3, 2023

Give credit to Spillane for making sure that this movie isn’t just about the heartwarming highs, but about the hard work it took to reach them.

By Noel Murray FULL REVIEW

RogerEbert.com

Feb 3, 2023

Watson's memoir and the 2010 documentary about her achievement, "210 Days," are altogether more thorough and nuanced looks at this story, though of course that's nearly always true of documentaries that tell the same story as works of fiction.

By Matt Zoller Seitz FULL REVIEW

The New York Times

Feb 2, 2023

The message of manifesting your goals reigns supreme, which is great, but it’s worth mentioning that Watson’s willpower benefits from the privileges of financial security, family support and a curmudgeonly-turned-selfless coach.

By Nicolas Rapold FULL REVIEW

The Guardian

Feb 3, 2023

The cast of True Spirit had no such chance: the schmaltz and mushiness overpower everything. The film’s daytime-soap vibes render an unquestionably inspiring true story into an experience that feels so false, so rinky-dink, I had to remind myself it was based on real life.

By Luke Buckmaster FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings

7.6

71% Positive
5 Ratings

14% Mixed
1 Rating

14% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

View All

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 7 User Ratings

7.6

71% Positive
5 Ratings

14% Mixed
1 Rating

14% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Resonate Entertainment, Martin Chase Productions, Sunstar Entertainment, The Rebel Fleet

Release Date Feb 3, 2023

Duration 1 h 49 m

Rating TV-PG

Genres

Website https://www.netflix.com/title/81054619/

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Awards

Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards

• 1 Nomination

Australian Screen Sound Guild

• 1 Nomination

True Spirit

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Alyla Browne

Young Jessica

Teagan Croft

Jessica Watson

Cliff Curtis

Ben Bryant

Josh Lawson

Roger Watson

Anna Paquin

Julie Watson

Bridget Webb

Emily Watson

Vivien Turner

Hannah Watson

Stacy Clausen

Tom Watson

Freya Callaghan

Young Emily

Chris Hillier

Instructor

Todd Lasance

Craig Atherton

Josephine Flynn

Reporter #1

Nikhil Singh

Reporter #2

Alice Haig

Georgina Bauer

Ling Cooper Tang

Susie the News Presenter

Shanyn Asmar

Female Politician

Liam Wallace

Young Tom

Molly Belle Wright

Young Hannah

Tomoka Tsuyuki

Japanese News Presenter

Joey Vieira

American News Presenter

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

Details

Awards

Awards

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