Here’s a deep dive review of F1: The Movie (2025)—the Brad Pitt-led racing drama directed by Joseph Kosinski—exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact:
🎬 Overview of the Film
- Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, a retired F1 driver drawn back to race and mentor a young talent, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), on the struggling APXGP team owned by Javier Bardem’s Ruben Cervantes .
- Inspired by Kosinski’s work on Top Gun: Maverick, the film features global race locations, real F1 personalities (Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso) making cameos, and was shot during actual Grand Prix weekends for authenticity .
🚀 What Works
Immersive Racing and Spectacle
- Reviewers consistently praise the breath-taking, cockpit-level cinematography, which simulates the thrill of high-speed racing. It’s rated among the best racing sequences ever filmed .
- A mix of real F1 engine sounds and authentic driving action (including Brad Pitt briefly driving Norris’s F1 car) builds remarkable realism.
Star Power and Direction
- Brad Pitt delivers strong presence and charm as a veteran racer, while Kerry Condon and Damson Idris also bring tension and nuance to ensemble roles.
- The film’s dynamic Hans Zimmer score and energetic soundtrack elevate every scene, making it a sensory feast for IMAX and sound-driven viewers.
Cross-Audience Appeal
- With broad themes of mentorship, nostalgia, and grit, the film caters well to non‑fans and general audiences looking for an adrenaline-fueled spectacle.
- CinemaScore polling reflects this: audiences rated it an “A”, and PostTrak returned a 92% positive score, solidifying its crowd-pleaser status.
❗ Where It Stalls
Predictable Plot and Clichés
- Critics highlight the familiar “aging veteran mentors young upstart” trope with minimal subversion. The storyline is seen as predictable, echoing films like Days of Thunder and Rush.
- Character arcs, especially supporting roles like Bardem’s team owner and Candace’s technical director, often feel underdeveloped or cliched.
Weak Pacing, Overlong Runtime
- At 2 hours and 35 minutes, the film’s later acts drag. Several critics cite a sense of narrative fatigue, with repetitious race coverage and broadcast-style commentary disrupting immersion.
- Emotional dialogue-heavy scenes are often seen as heavy-handed and interrupt the kinetic flow.
Limited Appeal to Hardcore F1 Fans
- Motorsport media gave mixed feedback: while non‑fans may enjoy the ride, purists were critical of simplifying complex aspects of racing and the sport’s legal/business realities.
- One reviewer bluntly called it a “glossy image film” more than a true sporting narrative.
⭐ Final Assessment: Why It Matters
F1: The Movie is a visually stunning, high‑octane spectacle powered by Brad Pitt’s charisma and Hans Zimmer’s pounding score. It delivers on adrenaline and style, making for a crowd-pleasing blockbuster ideal for casual moviegoers and sports-film fans.
However, it falls short in story depth: the screenplay leans heavily on familiar beats, the pacing weakens in its second half, and character development lacks subtlety. True motorsport enthusiasts may find its vision of F1 shallow or inauthentic, though its production authenticity is undeniable.
Box Office & Reception Snapshot
- Worldwide gross: ~$434.5M as of July 19, 2025. Records for Apple Studios as its first box-office hit.
- Rotten Tomatoes: ~83–88% critics positive; CinemaScore: Audience “A” grade; PostTrak: 92% positive, with 78% “definitely recommend”.
🏁 Summary Table
| Element | Highlights |
| Racing Cinematics | Visceral, immersive scenes shot at real F1 events |
| Performance | Pitt, Idris, Condon and Bardem bring energy though limited by script depth |
| Soundtrack / Score | Kraftful Zimmer score, high‑impact soundtrack across genres |
| Plot & Themes | Classic mentor-set-up; emotional beats often predictable and underdeveloped |
| Pacing | Energetic first half slows down; runtime skews long |
| Fan Reception | Great for newcomers; mixed views from F1 insiders on accuracy and depth |
✅ Should You Watch It?
- Yes if you’re in search of a blockbuster thrill ride — IMAX recommended — and want energetic action accompanied by a charismatic lead and punchy soundtrack.
- Less so if you’re expecting deep insight into F1’s technical, legal, or strategic complexities.
Select Highlights from Critics
- Time Out (4★/5): “When there’s this much rizz and this many thrills, it scarcely matters.”
- RogerEbert.com: Pitt delivers, but the film remains emotionally distant and mechanistic
- Top Gear: A luxurious, self‑referential love letter to the sport with high production value
- The Jam Report: “Gleaming and slickly crafted…” but ultimately feels like a very expensive ad
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16311594/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_4_nm_3_in_0_q_f1%2520m