The film remains largely faithful to the core events of Nyad’s life, chronicling her athletic career, failed attempts at the swim, and the grueling physical and mental preparation for her final, successful 2013 swim crossing. Key moments from the book, like the excruciating jellyfish stings and the emotional reunion with her crew, are depicted with raw intensity in the film. However, the filmmakers don’t shy away from creative liberties. Some characters and events are condensed or rearranged for narrative flow, and certain emotional aspects are emphasized for cinematic impact.
While “Find a Way” meticulously details the logistical and physical hurdles Nyad faced, the film takes a deeper dive into her emotional struggles. We witness her anxieties, self-doubts, and the impact of her journey on her personal relationships. This focus on the emotional toll adds depth to the narrative, making her triumph even more resonant.
Both the book and film transcend the specifics of the swim to explore universal themes. Nyad’s story becomes a powerful message about resilience, defying expectations, and never giving up on your dreams. However, the film’s visual storytelling and the captivating performance by Bening further amplify these themes, making them readily accessible to a wider audience.

Nyad is a movie directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi in 2023 and based on the book Find a Way by Diana Nyad, first published in 2015. The movie features Jodie Foster, Rhys Ifans, Annette Bening, Jeena Yi, Ethan Jones Romero, Karly Rothenberg, and others.
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Storyline
The film recounts the extraordinary real-life tale of athlete Diana Nyad. At 60 years old, with the assistance of her closest friend and coach, she makes a resolute commitment to fulfill her lifelong aspiration: an arduous 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida.
Movie vs Book
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Comparison
The film remains largely faithful to the core events of Nyad’s life, chronicling her athletic career, failed attempts at the swim, and the grueling physical and mental preparation for her final, successful 2013 swim crossing. Key moments from the book, like the excruciating jellyfish stings and the emotional reunion with her crew, are depicted with raw intensity in the film. However, the filmmakers don’t shy away from creative liberties. Some characters and events are condensed or rearranged for narrative flow, and certain emotional aspects are emphasized for cinematic impact.
While “Find a Way” meticulously details the logistical and physical hurdles Nyad faced, the film takes a deeper dive into her emotional struggles. We witness her anxieties, self-doubts, and the impact of her journey on her personal relationships. This focus on the emotional toll adds depth to the narrative, making her triumph even more resonant.
Both the book and film transcend the specifics of the swim to explore universal themes. Nyad’s story becomes a powerful message about resilience, defying expectations, and never giving up on your dreams. However, the film’s visual storytelling and the captivating performance by Bening further amplify these themes, making them readily accessible to a wider audience.

Year
2023
Minutes
121
Movie Rate
7.10
Source: IMDb

Year
2015
Pages
320
Book Rate
2.30
S: Goodreads
Book
Find a Way
Author: Diana Nyad
Country: USA
First published in: 2015
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Biography
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“The movie will never be as good as the book, both because the book goes on longer and because books are internal.”
SCOTT TUROW (Writer)
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