The Novice is a 2021 American psychological sports drama film written and directed by Lauren Hadaway in her feature directorial debut.

Starring Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Dilone, Charlotte Ubben, Jonathan Cherry, and Kate Drummond, the film follows an obsessive university freshman who joins the rowing team.

Jamie Brill, another freshman taking up rowing as a means to attain a much needed athletic scholarship, is quickly labeled as the "best novice" on the team to the chagrin of Alex - which further fuels her obsessive drive.

While Jamie quickly adapts to the new environment, Alex fails to fit in both socially and athletically, and accidentally knocks herself out during a major race.

Moved back to the novice team, Alex loses her already tenuous friendship with Jamie, and during the first joint novice/varsity practice passes out while exercising and urinates herself.

Pete initially attempts to dissuade Alex from working so hard, but eventually offers to assist her in using a scull to practice alone during winter break.

Alex steadily improves as a rower by practicing over fall break, and begins a romance with Dani, her former teaching assistant.

In the spring, Alex and Jamie race to determine who will take the spot of a 1V Rower who has left the team due to a broken collarbone.

The site's critical consensus reads: "A remarkable first feature for writer-director Lauren Hadaway, The Novice paints a thrilling -- and disturbing -- portrait of obsession.