People are walking out of Jennifer Lawrence's new film, Red Sparrow

It's billed as an ultra-violence action film full of adults-only material - including a much talked about nude scene.

But Jennifer Lawrence's Russian spy epic Red Sparrow has had mixed reviews by critics, and a handful of viewers have walked out of movie theatres in protest.

Red Sparrow hits New Zealand cinemas today, but the R16 film has had mixed reviews.

On Metacritic, it has a 55 per cent review aggregate, with IGN calling it "too disturbing and brutal to be popcorn entertainment".

"By trying to make the uncomfortable storylines and interminable torture sequences palatable for the audience, it completely undermines its ability to operate as a serious drama."

TheWrap agreed, writing: "This is a movie that would only work if it were a little worse or a lot better."

Judging by these tweets, some viewers are voting with their feet.

This is a film made solely for incels who want to rape Jennifer Lawrence. Disgusting, repulsive, abhorrent, sickening torture porn that is completely devoid of plot or character, it made me feel physically ill so I walked out.

— 🎀 Stephanie Marie 🎀 (@stefinitely85) February 27, 2018

Saw Red Sparrow last night and 15 minutes before it ended, the woman sitting behind me said "this movie is way too long" and walked out

— Rebecca Rubin (@rebeccaarubin) February 27, 2018

ugh RED SPARROW is the pits. i walked out. too long, too boring. sucks to think about the one reason people will be talking about it.

— David Farrier (@davidfarrier) February 27, 2018

The film has had positive reviews from some, with Lawrence earning praise for her role as Russian spy Dominika Egorova.

"What kicks it into a higher level is that it's a terrific vehicle for Jennifer Lawrence, one of the few movie stars who deserves one, who is a film star in the classic sense," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle in a five-star review.

The New York Daily News wrote: "People who crave a movie about a secret agent with her own sexual agency — and a mission to give male predators exactly what they deserve — are going to want front-row seats. And a sequel."

And Variety wrote: "Lawrence, in this movie, shows you what true screen stardom is all about. She cues each scene to a different mood, leaving the audience in a dangling state of discovery. We're on her side, but more than that we're in her head. Even when (of course) we're being played."

Red Sparrow is in New Zealand theatres from today.