REVIEW: ‘F1: The Movie’ Is A Turbocharged Spectacle From Start To Finish
- Kevin Verma
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
F1: The Movie arrives with the weight of massive expectations — a high-octane collaboration between director Joseph Kosinski and superstar Brad Pitt, backed by the prestige of Formula 1 itself and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton. Set against the glamorous yet unforgiving world of elite motorsport, the film follows Sonny Hayes (Pitt), a retired driver lured back to the grid to mentor a rising star while competing in one final season. Blending real-world F1 teams, circuits, and drivers with a fictional story, F1 more than your typical big-budget sports movie, it’s a cinematic event years in the making.
It also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Shea Wingham, Tobias Menzies and Javier Bardem and has a script from Ehren Kruger. Released at the height of Formula 1’s global popularity and filmed during actual race weekends, the movie captures the cultural momentum of the sport and translates it into a visceral, big-screen experience that revs up the blockbuster season. Director Joseph Kosinski, following up his high-flying success with Top Gun: Maverick, shifts gears into the world of Formula 1 racing and delivers yet another breathtaking crowdpleaser.
Brad Pitt is at his most charming and effortlessly cool, bringing a swagger and charisma to the role of Sonny Hayes, a seasoned driver making a final charge back to glory. His performance will remind audiences why he’s one of the last true movie stars. Damson Idris and Javier Bardem get their well-earned moments in the sun, but Kerry Condon truly steals the show. As the team's sharp-witted, no-nonsense engineer, Condon delivers both emotional depth and razor-sharp dialogue with ease.
The racing sequences are a marvel — Kosinski and his team masterfully shoot the action with a kinetic realism that places you right inside the cockpit. You feel every turn, every collision, every surge of acceleration. The IMAX experience only amplifies the intensity, with Hans Zimmer’s propulsive score driving the action and the meticulously crafted sound design making engines roar through your chest. It’s an immersive spectacle that deserves the biggest screen possible.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is how accessible it is. While hardcore F1 fans will appreciate the presentation of the sport and appearances by real F1 drivers, even complete newcomers will find themselves completely engaged. The screenplay smartly balances technical authenticity with character-driven storytelling, and with Lewis Hamilton on board as producer, the film manages to strike the perfect tone, both authentic and aspirational.
The story may follow a familiar trajectory — redemption, rivalry, and last-lap heroics — but it's told with such verve and energy that it never feels tired. The characters are vibrant, the humor lands, and the pacing rarely lets up. Every element, from the dialogue to the electric soundtrack, works in tandem to keep the adrenaline high and the audience completely locked in. And when the film hits its climax — an edge-of-your-seat final race — it’s pure cinematic bliss. One of the best things I could say about this movie is that I wish it was longer.
F1: The Movie finds the perfect mix of speed, style, and star power to deliver one of the most exhilarating cinematic experiences of the decade. This is a film that understands the power of sound, scale, and spectacle. Whether you’re an F1 fanatic or just in it for a great time at the movies, this film delivers on all fronts. It hits almost every corner perfectly and is a celebration of the sport that feels both respectful and exciting, fully justifying Formula 1’s global popularity. Race to see this high-octane crowdpleaser in IMAX.
Rating: ★★★★½
About F1: The Movie
Release Date: June 27, 2025
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer, Brad Pitt, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton.
Writer: Ehren Kruger and Joseph Kosinski
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Production: Apple Original Films, Plan B Entertainment
Distribution: Warner Bros Pictures.
Cast: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Shea Wingham, Tobias Menzies and Javier Bardem.
Synopsis: Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse.