Director: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris and Kerry Condon
‘A Captivating Blockbuster’
Formula 1 is a world-famous racing competition that has created an enduring reputation. Watching cars engage in a tense race destined to crush has often given people an exciting adrenaline rush. On a personal level, I find the struggle faced by Formula 1 drivers to be relatable. At an early age, I formed a bond with a housekeeper that admired car races causing damage. An adventurous person, he loved watching cars engage in races which were fast and furious. Drawn towards a need for speed, he loved seeing car drivers which were guaranteed to succeed. There was always a smile etched on his face whenever he got to see drivers race. It didn’t take long before I bonded with a housekeeper acknowledging competitions in which cars competed. I soon discovered that my housekeeper suffered from terminal illness with days that were numbered. Watching cars race gave him the strength to cope with a grim illness that was excruciating to face. Even when his body succumbed to a fatal illness, he never gave up dreams of attending Formula 1 races which contributed to his happiness. However, death brought relationships towards a closure. Liver Cancer prevented my housekeeper from being a race car driver. The sad death of a housekeeper admiring racing caused my family to face mourning. It was painful to face death of a housekeeper that loved seeing cars race. Years later, Formula 1 has become a sad reminder of a housekeeper I treasure.
Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the enduring appeal of Formula 1 drivers as powerfully as “F1: The Movie”. Released in 2025, Joseph Kosinski’s movie honoured Formula 1’s enduring legacy. Packed with breathtaking action sequences, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies of the year. At the centre of it all is a Brad Pitt, who embodies a charismatic Formula 1 race car driver. Although “F1: The Movie” is undeniably entertaining, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from an extended length that tests viewers’ patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that will satisfy Formula 1 fans.
“F1: The Movie” tells the story of a competitive Formula 1 driver seeking victory. Brad Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes, an aging Formula 1 driver seeking to change his ways. After enduring a terrible accident causing tension, Hayers has retired from the racing profession. However, Sonny’s life forever changes when he is called back to Formula 1 by manager Ruben (Javier Bardem). Seeking to participate in one final race, Sonny finds himself face-to-face with challenges of backbreaking professions he had once grown up to embrace.
Joseph Kosinski has always been fascinated with underdog stories. His iconic film “Top Gun: Maverick” captured heroic pilots flying planes that are catastrophic. With “F1: The Movie”, however, Kosinski made his first ever Formula 1 movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture Formula 1 drivers seeking victory but he succeeded tremendously. Emulating Ron Howard’s “Rush”, Kosinski effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture drivers seeking victory. For instance, POV shots elevate the Formula 1 racing competition scene. During this intense scene, Sonny engages in his first F1 race following years of retirement. It brought back memories of a housekeeper that adored race car drivers seeking victories. POV shots are tricky. As David Fincher’s Se7en” suggested, POV shots elevate serial killer thrillers. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Kosinski captures Formula 1 drivers that love racing.
Another admirable aspect of “F1: the Movie” that merits appreciation is production. From technical perspectives, it’s the most impressive race car movie that you’ll ever seen. Evoking James Mangold’s “Ford v. Ferrari”, Kosinki effectively uses sound-design to capture race cars crossing the finish line. Throughout the movie, Kosinski uses diegetic sound to capture race cars facing accidents burning to the ground. For instance, diegetic sound elevates the car accident scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Joshua faces tension when he becomes involved in an accident that’s life-threatening. Through sound-design, Mangold honours Formula 1 cars that shine. It reminded me of my housekeeper’s death from terminal illness that left my family emotionally devastated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Hans Zimmer’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie atmosphere capturing burden that race car drivers bear. Through phenomenal production, Kosinski commemorates the Formula 1 competition.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “F1: The Movie” is a race car movie that’s captivating. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture race car drivers impacted by violence. Evoking Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver”, Kosinski effectively uses flashbacks to capture race car drivers haunted by memories of accidents. For instance, flashbacks elevate the car accident aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, Sonny recalls memories of a car accident catastrophe that caused his racing career to face tragedy. It reminded me of my sadness recalling positive memories of a housekeeper before his death from terminal illness. Through compelling flashbacks, Kosinski creates a race car driver that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” suggested, flashbacks elevate commemorated movies about slavery. Nevertheless, they work immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Kosinski honours commemorated race car drivers today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Brad Pitt delivers one of his greatest career performances as Sonny Hayes. Pitt earned appreciation for playing the owners of fight club organizations. With “F1: The Movie”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a race car driver seeking past glory but Pitt succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, determination and resilience of a race car driver engaging in intense competitions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most iconic movie-stars in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Brad Pitt, the supporting cast is also excellent and worthy of appreciation. Damon Idris is incredible, capturing the dedication of a race car driver with determination to succeed in a tense competition. Javier Bardem is brilliant, bringing authority to a commanding race car manager with wisdom that seeks to guide drivers towards victories achieving stardom. Lastly, Kerry Condon merits appreciation. As a fierce race car technician, she brings an air of feminism to the movie.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “F1: The Movie” can’t quite honour Formula 1 drivers seeking victories. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it suffers from extended length. Kosinski’s decision to integrate subplots about romance into the movie is bold but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on Sonny’s romantic affair with Kate aren’t as engaging as his race car competition. Whereas this romantic subplot elevated Rob Cohen’s “The Fast and the Furious”, it feels out-of-place in this movie. As David Fincher’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” suggested, romantic subplots elevate movies about aging. Therefore, “F1: The Movie” can’t celebrate race car drivers that seek Formula 1 victory.
Nevertheless, fans of Formula 1 will definitely appreciate “F1: The Movie” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A captivating race car blockbuster, it proves that stories of competitive Formula 1 victories are worth celebrating in movies.
A captivating portrait of the frightening challenges that determined race car drivers in backbreaking competitions face, it’s a breathtaking reminder that commemorated stories of car drivers that go through excruciating hardships are definitely worth celebrating in memorable movies that audiences embrace.
As strong as Sonny Hayes’ lifelong love for racing, it has motivated me to move on several years after the heartbreaking passing of a beloved housekeeper that loved seeing cars experiencing intense competitions whose determination to battle frightening illnesses living life to the fullest inspired me to pursue my passion for filmmaking.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 