The motorsport action drama film F1: The Movie, starring Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, premiered in theaters on Friday, June 27, 2025. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film showcases Brad Pitt alongside Damson Idris and Javier Bardem in prominent roles. The plot revolves around a former Formula One driver who returns from retirement to mentor a younger racer.
Story
F1: The Movie plunges into the world of Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a once-brilliant F1 racer whose career crashed—literally—in a devastating 1993 accident on a Spanish circuit. Though sidelined from the top tier, Sonny never truly left the track, continuing to compete in various other championships.
Now, fresh off a triumph at the Daytona 24-hour race, Sonny finds himself at a crossroads when Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), a former F1 driver and the embattled owner of the APXGP team, offers him a lifeline. Desperate to save his faltering team, Ruben enlists Sonny as their second driver for the new season. Sonny accepts, but his arrival in London is met with open hostility, especially from rising star rookie Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), who dismisses Sonny’s past achievements as ancient history.
Sonny’s own cocky attitude exacerbates tensions with crucial team members like technical director Kate (Kerry Condon), team principal Kaspar Smolinski (Kim Bodnia), and race engineer Nickleby (Will Merrick). A brutal press tour, dredging up uncomfortable details of his accident, gambling debts, and divorces, solidifies his pariah status. What unfolds next forms the core of the film’s narrative.
Performances
Brad Pitt delivers a captivating performance, radiating charisma and effortlessly engaging both the on-screen characters and the audience. Javier Bardem is equally stellar, perfectly embodying his role. Damson Idris, remarkably, leaves a significant mark despite the formidable presence of such A-listers.
Kerry Condon is impressive, and Sarah Niles (as Bernadette, Joshua’s mother) is particularly memorable. Kim Bodnia, Will Merrick, Abdul Salis, Callie Cooke (Jodie), Samson Kayo (Cash; Joshua’s manager), Tobias Menzies (Peter Banning; investor), and Simon Kunz (Don; journalist) all provide solid support.
Conversely, Luciano Bacheta (Luca Cortez) is given little opportunity to shine. Finally, the genuine F1 drivers and personnel in cameo roles are sure to be a delight for racing enthusiasts.
Behind the scenes
Hans Zimmer’s score is thrilling and seamlessly integrated into the storyline. The diverse tracks featured in the film add a delightful nuance. Claudio Miranda’s cinematography imparts a majestic, cinematic quality to the movie. The costumes designed by Julian Day are elegant, while Ben Munro and Mark Tildesley’s production design exudes sophistication. The visual effects are extraordinary. Although Stephen Mirrione’s editing feels somewhat sluggish at times, it remains satisfactory overall.
Joseph Kosinski and Ehren Kruger’s narrative stands out as an exceptional and somewhat unique take on the classic underdog theme. Kruger’s screenplay may not have the same rapid tempo as the cars depicted in the film, but it successfully maintains the audience’s engagement. The dialogue is sharp and impactful, with numerous witty one-liners that enhance the overall enjoyment.
Final Verdict
Joseph Kosinski’s direction is outstanding. Recently, he has directed Top Gun: Maverick [2022] and Twisters [2024]. Each of these films, along with F1: The Movie, features an adventurous theme while belonging to distinct realms, demonstrating Kosinski’s ability to adapt his direction to fit various contexts. The conflict is carefully crafted, and the character of Sonny truly stands out. His unpredictable maneuvers during the race keep the audience guessing as he faces off against his rivals. The shocking twist just before the intermission heightens the drama and suspense. The climax is thrilling and quite unconventional.
At points, the film does experience a slow pace, and its 155-minute runtime feels a bit excessive. The product placements contribute to the film’s realism but can be intrusive in certain scenes. Lastly, the film’s appeal is somewhat limited to niche audiences, which might influence its box office performance to a degree.
Overall, F1: The Movie is a chequered race that delivers a thrilling and engaging experience for viewers. It’s not intended for home viewing and is best appreciated on the big screen. While it may not align with mainstream audience preferences, its high-energy storytelling and cinematic grandeur are likely to attract impressive box office returns.
