Even though this movie is based on a book by an actual ex CIA agent, the main problem I had with it was that it felt over the top at times. E.g. Extreme training methods that could have easily been accomplished by less cruel manners, or the attractiveness of 'sparrows' being a 100% hit rate. Once it was over, I thought that I really couldn't see it playing out like that (and not in the good way of not seeing certain developments coming).

However, it kept me at the edge of my seat due to good acting and exciting plot. Jennifer Lawrence is really solid as a lead, because she basically has to carry the story, but - and I completely respect she had coaching for this - the Russian accent was a little bit distracting to me. Perhaps because I'm used to seeing her in different roles, because I'm no expert on Russian accents, but it still kept my mind busy while watching. It was really enjoyable watching Lawrence lose her temper in certain scenes, whereas the more "I am completely in controle of my emotions, therefore I have no facial expression" moments felt a bit dull at times.

The story is about her forced decent into this aweful job as a femme fatale spy and how she becomes both pawn and player on both sides. The story had twists that were really satisfying, but it felt like a bit too many plot twists/reveals near the end, which is ashame because the movie felt a bit too long in the middle (so maybe they could have distributed the bits of new information more evenly paced). I also have to admit that character development was low and the overall message was a bit too much 'emancipation of a power woman yay', instead of a more personal and fleshed out main character finding her way of emancipating from her oppressors.

In short, I was doubting between a 6 or 7, but I would recommend this film for a thrilling movie night, so I went with a 7!