NYAD is a film based on the life of open-water swimmer Diana Nyad. It's a must-see because it offers a glimpse into the life of an amazing character, capable of overcoming all obstacles with a phenomenal charisma that few have witnessed in real life. It could be considered a motivational film, and some may have an aversion to this type of work. But any sentimentality fades away thanks to the performances of the lead actress and her co-star. The main role is played by Annette Bening, and the supporting role by Jodie Foster. With them on screen, the viewer is treated to a masterclass in acting that would make film festival juries question their ability to win the awards for which they are nominated.

NYAD is directed by the husband-and-wife team of Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, both award-winning documentary filmmakers. Their experience in documentary filmmaking lends the film the emotional realism necessary to connect with viewers. Although the film was released in theaters in 2023, it was produced by Netflix and is available on the platform.

It's a film based on a true story, that of a woman who wants to swim from Cuba to Florida. Without this clarification, the story would be hard to believe, because it's difficult to accept that someone would subject themselves to such hardships simply to achieve a goal that doesn't seem crucial. But that's what makes the characters believable: they pursue pointless causes that give meaning to their lives. It's the same as the scientist who investigates a topic that, in principle, serves no purpose; it's also similar to the misunderstood artist who paints abstract images, which are a reflection of their inner world and that of others, but which most people disdain. The film visually represents the absurdity of lost causes that justify existence. It's the drama or comedy of Don Quixote and his Sancho, no longer in the Americas, but in the Caribbean.