The effect is emotionally gripping (the film does provoke tears), but the inner lives and anguish, the ongoing sorrow at losing a homeland, are somehow overlooked.

| May 12, 2023

The Swimmers indelibly depicts the horrors of the refugee crisis. ... The film makes no attempt, however, to explore why millions of Syrians, for example, have been forced to flee their homeland or to name those responsible.

| Mar 24, 2023

It is just a shame that the human should be so easily translated into Euro-American codes of filmic legibility. “The Swimmers” ends up – strangely enough – as a feel-good refugee movie.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 21, 2023

The Swimmers could have been a sentimental film, but it's not, because El-Hosaini bothered to assemble a canny combination of elements that resulted more fruitful than was expected.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 21, 2023

Engaging characters and an uplifting story based on the refugee experience, but it tries to cover too much and tonal shifts are distracting

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 16, 2023

Obviously, this is an inspiring story, well presented by director Sally El Hosaini (she also co-wrote the story with Jack Thorne). The actors are also convincing. Production values are top notch, too.

| Original Score: B | Jan 11, 2023

True story of two sisters who flee war-torn Syria and as refugees use their swimming skills to help and inspire others.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 30, 2022

This is such a heroic & unbelievable autobiography of two amazing sisters. Every scene feels well balanced & important, the cinematography works so well in night and daytime. But the two lead sisters are what elevate this to being one of the better films

| Original Score: 8.5/10 | Dec 26, 2022

This is a strong film, of an almost unbelievable true story. Very recommended.

| Dec 13, 2022

Although at times occasionally hamstrung by the conventions of this burgeoning subgenre, it nonetheless finds empathetic heroes amidst a moving journey that captures the relentless difficulties of life as a refugee.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 4, 2022

The Swimmers is a triumph in many ways. It is beautiful, heartbreaking, and profoundly moving, with stellar leading performances from the Issa sisters

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 3, 2022

A well-rounded movie that is satisfactory. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 6/10 | Dec 2, 2022

Inspiring, somewhat episodic, and definitely a crowd-pleaser.

| Nov 30, 2022

The biggest merit of this fable about overcoming a thousand and one adversities is also its biggest shortcoming: being transparent and well-intentioned. [Full review in Spanish]

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Nov 29, 2022

The story offers some devastating lows and soaring highs. But these moments are dulled just a little by an overly long narrative that could have used one final trim. The Swimmers didn't need to break the two-hour mark.

| Nov 29, 2022

... It brings mainstream attention to another deserving migrant story. It's just a shame it does so with such straightforward and unimaginative filmmaking.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 29, 2022

The Swimmers is harrowing and triumphant, following the true story of Olympian Yusra Mardini and her sister Sara as they flee war-torn Syria. The film is an ode to their determination. A tale of survival that leaves you in exaltation.

| Nov 29, 2022

The Swimmers tells the harrowing and incredibly moving true story of Syrian refugee sisters. Yusra and Sara Mardini embodied the desperate plight of millions who faced death for the possibility of a better life.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Nov 28, 2022

A feel-good true story.

| Original Score: B- | Nov 27, 2022

The girl's astounding story brings the dire straits of those escaping certain death into sharp, overwhelming focus and the iron will that it takes to withstand the immigration experience and go on to the Olympics

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 26, 2022