Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Written by: Ehren Kruger and Zach Dean
Joseph Kosinski’s F1: The Movie races onto screens with all the expected fanfare — Brad Pitt returning as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 legend forced out of retirement to mentor a cocky rookie named Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). The film promises high-speed thrills and a story of redemption set against the backdrop of actual Formula One Grand Prix events.
Here come the spoilers…
Sonny’s backstory is littered with references to a career-ending crash and lingering medical issues—PTSD and concussion symptoms hinted at but never really explored. Instead of digging into what it means to carry those scars, the movie skims over his trauma with vague brooding and clipped dialogue. Spoiler alert: the film barely scratches the surface of Sonny’s psychological and physical struggles, leaving Brad Pitt stuck in “happily haunted” mode without much substance behind it. Other than being a guy who likes a challenge.
Joshua, the rookie meant to be Sonny’s foil and emotional counterbalance, fares worse. Spoiler alert: his backstory is basically a blank slate. No motivations, no personal stakes, just the usual “cocky young driver” cliché. The mentorship angle, which should drive the emotional core, is reduced to generic pep talks and montage clichés, failing to land any real emotional weight. Huge, missed opportunity here. Joshua’s backstory would’ve been the heart this film needed. Perhaps a tragic accident with his father could’ve been a pivotal moment and character growth for Joshua that the writer’s completely ignored. Even Javier Bardem’s role as the team owner is mostly a glorified mouthpiece for corporate sponsorships and exposition. The rest of the supporting cast barely registers, trapped in cardboard roles that do little to build tension or flesh out the team dynamic.
The racing scenes, on the other hand, are spectacular. Filmed during real Grand Prix events, the footage captures the visceral excitement and danger of Formula One — the screeching tires, hairpin turns, and split-second decisions all come alive. This is where the film shines, offering a genuine adrenaline rush that many racing movies only dream of. If only the rest of the film matched this kinetic energy. My only change would be to add more graphic details such as the type of tires during the sequences and tread life left to show us clearly how dangerous the cars not pitting is.
The climax in Abu Dhabi aims for emotional payoff with Sonny’s heroic sacrifice, but by then you’re too detached to feel much beyond a mild “okay, neat” reaction, but they do twist the expected ending to perhaps the only surprise of the film. Yet it is the story’s lack of depth leaves the climax feeling like an afterthought rather than a culmination.
What F1: The Movie ultimately delivers is a high-octane spectacle that looks and sounds authentic, but forgets that story and characters actually matter. Sonny’s medical and emotional struggles deserved more than surface-level brooding. Joshua’s empty backstory turns what should be a mentor-protégé relationship into a predictable, hollow affair.
If you want to see Brad Pitt look cool in a racing helmet and watch real cars speed around iconic circuits, this movie has you covered. If you want a movie with heart and substance beneath the helmet, prepare to get lapped.
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