Movie Review: Joseph Kosinski’s “F1: The Movie” Delivers High-Octane Thrills And Standout Performances

In the 1990s, Sonny Hayes was Formula 1’s most promising driver until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, the owner of a struggling Formula 1 team convinces Sonny to return to racing and become the best in the world. Driving alongside the team’s hotshot rookie, Sonny soon learns that the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.

Picture this: a legendary Formula One racer, whose promising career was abruptly halted by a tragic crash, finds himself with a shot at redemption years after his heyday. The invitation comes from a long-time confidant, but there’s a condition—he must team up with a bold, headstrong up-and-comer bursting with ambition and ego. Their partnership, fraught with tension, is their only ticket to finally claiming the elusive World Championship. Though this storyline has become a mainstay in sports movies—think of films like “The Color of Money,” “The Guardian,” “Creed,” or even Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun: Maverick”—the predictability of the plot doesn’t take away from the fresh, distinctive journey each film offers.

“F1: The Movie” centers on Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a celebrated driver who reigned supreme in the racing circuit during the 1990s. After a disastrous accident during the World Championship derails his career, Hayes withdraws from the spotlight, eventually drifting through odd jobs—poker player, cab driver, participating in small-time races. Decades later, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), his old partner from the track, re-enters his life with a proposition: come back for one last shot at the title that’s always slipped through his fingers. The twist? Hayes must pair up with Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a cocky, gifted rookie who doubts Hayes still has what it takes. Their rocky dynamic evolves over time; clashes give way to mutual understanding as they face adversity both on and off the track.

The film doesn’t shy away from classic plot devices: adversaries learning to work together, heroes wrestling with old wounds, a dash of romance, and the requisite dramatic race-day disaster. There’s little mystery about how things will end. But thanks to its stellar cast, Kosinski’s sharp direction, and edge-of-your-seat race sequences, “F1: The Movie” manages to rise above its familiar framework, serving up both emotional stakes and high-octane excitement.

Watching this film in IMAX is a whole different level. While most scenes stick to a standard widescreen format, the racing scenes burst open into a larger, more immersive frame, making full use of IMAX’s visuals and sound to capture the raw speed and ferocity of Formula One.

Although there are moments where the male leads let their guard down and genuine bonds form, the true heart of the film lies in the racing itself. In these moments, the cars—and the competition—take center stage. Pitt turns in a magnetic performance, holding the audience’s attention up until the thunder of engines and the dizzying pace of the races steal the show. Even then, he manages to keep up, embodying the pulse and danger that the film is all about.

In Theaters Friday, June 27th