F1: The Movie (2025)

The approach this film takes to bringing the world of F1 to the screen is not simply setting a story against a racing backdrop but actually filming at real Grand Prix events. F1: The Movie, the reunion of director Joseph Kosinski and Brad Pitt, was the summer 2025 sports drama that lit up cinemas worldwide. My rating is ★4.0.

What it’s about — a comeback filmed at real Grands Prix

The story begins when veteran driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) — whose F1 career ended in a past accident — joins the struggling rookie team APXGP. His generational clash with young fellow driver Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris), internal divisions within the team, and overcoming the wounds of the past form the three narrative pillars. The biggest differentiator of this film is race footage filmed at actual Formula One Grand Prix events. Scenes shot at circuits including the British GP and the Monaco GP are featured.

Direction — the sense of speed from cameras mounted on the cars

Kosinski’s directing style — which set a new standard for practical action with Top Gun: Maverick — is applied directly to F1. Race sequences shot with cameras mounted on the actual cars provide exceptional immersion on a large cinema screen with a full sound system. The sense of speed exceeding 240 km/h is faithfully recreated on film. The tension in the race scenes is among the best in the industry, and the balance with the drama segments has been improved compared to his previous film.

Performance — the chemistry of the veteran and the rookie

Brad Pitt captures both the pride and the exhaustion of a seasoned veteran. His driving scenes — after actual driver training — reduce reliance on body doubles and increase the sense of realism. Damson Idris portrays the cocky young driver convincingly, and his chemistry with Pitt is good. The process by which the two characters come to understand and respect each other through racing is the emotional core of this film. Javier Bardem creates a realistic portrait of the team principal — neither villain nor hero. Kerry Condon leaves a clear impression as team chief engineer despite limited screen time.

What the film says — a second chance that tolerates no mistakes

This film is the archetypal comeback narrative. It is the story of someone who has fallen getting back up — and the particular world of F1 makes that story more intense. The circuit is a space that tolerates no mistakes, and a second chance in that space carries more weight. The subplot of generational conflict is also woven in naturally. The film distinguishes itself from its formulaic narrative through the details of real F1. The process by which Sonny Hayes goes beyond simply overcoming his past to try to pass something on to his younger colleague creates the emotional weight of the film’s second half. Even within a familiar formula, those emotions work within F1’s sense of speed.

Ratings & reception

TMDB score: 7.8 — high. IMDb score: 7.6. Rotten Tomatoes freshness: 82%. Critical praise for the authenticity of the race footage and the visual achievement was consistent. Among 2025 releases, it was named one of those with sufficient reason to visit a cinema for the IMAX format experience. Kosinski’s sports action formula, established by Top Gun: Maverick, broadly worked again.

Weaknesses

The narrative itself follows the sports film formula faithfully. The outcome is predictable to some extent from the opening scene, and the resolution of the protagonist’s internal conflict is familiar. The romantic subplot feels somewhat forced in its insertion. Where Top Gun: Maverick hit with the impact of rewriting its genre, F1 gives the impression of faithfully repeating that approach.

Verdict

F1: The Movie is a film that must be seen in a cinema to be worth the admission. The authenticity of the footage shot at actual race circuits is an experience that can only be half-lived on a home screen. Its formulaic narrative and predictable drama are offset by visual achievement and a sense of speed.

Recommended for

• Those who loved Top Gun: Maverick
• Those with an interest in F1 motorsport
• Those who want the comeback narrative and thrills of a sports film at the same time