F1 The Movie (2025)
Immersive, loud and exhilarating, F1 The Movie is made for the fans of motorsports. Just don’t expect more than the ride itself.
Watched in IMAX
I literally rushed to watch F1 The Movie on the biggest IMAX screen I could find and honestly, it was one of the most intense theatre experiences I’ve had in a while. If you’re into Formula 1 (like me) or even just vaguely curious about what it feels like to sit in the cockpit at 300 km/h, this is as close as you’re going to get without buying a paddock pass.
Story & Structure
Let’s be real: the plot here doesn’t reinvent anything. It’s a pretty familiar underdog arc with a seasoned veteran coming back to mentor the promising rookie and the usual conflicts you’d expect, like ego, corporate drama and redemption. But even though it’s very formulaic, I never found it boring. The film keeps the stakes high and moves quickly from race to race, letting the energy carry you through.
Performances
Brad Pitt is as watchable as ever, leaning into his effortless charisma to sell the whole “grizzled legend with unfinished business” vibe. Damson Idris does a solid job bringing that fresh spark as the rookie and they play off each other nicely. The supporting cast, including Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem, brings enough credibility to make the team dynamics feel believable, even if no one’s character arc goes especially deep.
Visuals & Sound
This is where the film absolutely shines. The cinematography is ridiculous in the best way! Those tight in-cockpit shots, drone footage, the sense of speed and danger all feel completely real. Seeing it in IMAX made every race feel like an event and honestly, this alone makes it worth a trip to the theatre. The sound design is thunderous, with engines roaring and tires screeching all around you and Hans Zimmer’s score feels like a blend of Challengers and Inception. It’s both grand and pulsing, perfectly matched to the adrenaline on screen.
Smash Hit Score: 8.5/10
I’d say this film is basically a love letter to F1 fans. If you’re obsessed with motorsport, it’s a must-watch, no question. But if racing doesn’t interest you at all, you’ll probably find there isn’t much else here to grab onto. The characters are fine but they’re not especially memorable and the story hits all the expected beats without much surprise. Still, when a film looks and sounds this good, it almost doesn’t matter.
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