Kapadia has crafted an intimate character study of the man that puts almost as much emphasis on his spirituality, his doubts and his relationship with his country as it does on his ability to drive a fast car.

| May 3, 2024

You don't have to know a lick about racing to become completely engrossed by 'Senna.'

| Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 8, 2020

As you might imagine, these first-person images of key races are some of the film's most pulse-quickening, awe-inspiring moments.

| Jan 17, 2020

Kapadia's remarkably clear direction traces Senna's personal development from fresh-faced idealist fighting the Formula 1 bosses, to successful superstar to cynical competitor.

| Jan 8, 2020

Senna is one of those documentaries that's clearly deeply meaningful to fans, but it also happens to be viscerally engaging for those with no prior interest in the subject.

| Oct 18, 2018

This is not just a good film - it's a great film: fascinating, exciting, nerve-wracking and profoundly moving.

| Aug 31, 2018

Kapadia's film isn't just a moving resurrection of the driver and his phenomenal career; it's a timely nod to our increasingly competitive times, as we attempt to restart from a long stall of selfishness, and reconstruct the engine of meaning in the pits.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 27, 2017

An engrossing, nerve-wracking and beautifully crafted examination of a sporting hero, Kapadia's documentary is a must-see.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Mar 14, 2016

[Director Asif Kapadia] allows his documentary gaze to fall upon the sport of motor-racing in this thrilling exploration into the life of a man who aimed to do as much for those less fortunate as he than he did for the sport.

| Sep 8, 2013

...a surprisingly deft examination of the power of faith...

| Original Score: 72/100 | Feb 5, 2012

Senna stands as a triumph of [its makers'] knack for story craft and their ability to sort through a staggering volume of material and piece it together into a unified, powerful narrative.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 27, 2012

If we define a classic documentary by its ability to transcend niche subject matter and engage all audiences, then the exhilarating and unbelievable Senna is one of cinema's recent best.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 25, 2012

While this documentary is unreeling, we're definitely along for the ride. But there's no aftertaste, except for that of burnt metal.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Nov 25, 2011

A model of documentary storytelling efficiency.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 28, 2011

Though the film seemingly had a good ambassador for the sport, astounding racing footage and was well-presented, the subject matter never fully engaged me.

| Original Score: B- | Oct 17, 2011

You don't have to be a Formula 1 nut to enjoy this enthralling documentary ... Asif Kapadia's film Senna is so skillfully put together that its portrayal of a complex, charismatic and fascinating figure will grip even those with no interest in the sport.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 10, 2011

"Senna" is a streamlined piece of filmmaking, completely immersing the viewer in Senna's world and never losing momentum as it moves from one breakneck race to another.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Oct 7, 2011

It's impossible not to be impressed by how director Asif Kapadia and writer Manish Pandey have managed to craft a biographical film completely out of archive footage.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Sep 30, 2011

Uses an astonishing wealth of racing and interview footage - including film shot by in-car cameras during races - to chart in a compelling way the dramatic rise and heart-rending end of the Brazilian legend.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 29, 2011

The film is a snapshot in time of an imperfect, interrupted life more than a gateway drug to racing enthusiasm.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 21, 2011