Okay, I like the genre in all its forms, but I am particularly pulled towards the more gritty spy films demonstrating what looks much more believable than James Bond films.

Red Sparrow isn't the best films I have seen of its type, and, to be honest, the "twist" actually confuses the average viewer since her actions seem incongruent with the expected plot line. What I mean is in "Sixth Sense," even without the "twist" the story worked. In Red Sparrow, it doesn't work as well.

As I am finishing the book, I find much of the confusion is all of the films making, and not a failure in the book. Without giving anything away, the director chose to have Dominika's thoughts completely hidden. Without any confidant, or narration, Dominika's motivations are simply inscrutable. This would be okay, but some of her actions, without context, are just plain confusing. Sure, if you pay attention, when you leave the movie you can tie it (mostly) together, but still the twist isn't worth the confusion.

I would love to talk the team to understand why they changed some fundamental elements from the book for what appears (to me) just because. Some of it is, naturally, to save film time, but her choices of killing instead of destroying careers (in the beginning), just don't save time, or add anything to the story. In context of the book, it could be explained because of her character's childhood rages, but that aspect of Dominika are not even discussed. In the book one of the main concepts of Dominika is her ability to see colors for everything (which makes her an excellent at understanding people). In the movie, its just a one line throwaway.

No, all this said, is rather besides the point. As a "real spy film," where people are people, and not just cardboard ideologies, this is a good entry. It is well paced, and enjoyable to watch. It isn't "Kingsman," "True Lies," or even an action film. It is a Spy thriller, and it fills that role fine.

I'm deducting one star just because the "twist" should have been part of the standard flow, and improved the movie continuity. The movie not narrating or giving her a confident to leave her motives opaque is needed for the "twist," but it could have been handled better and delivered a more even movie.