F1 : The Movie

As people in the 1950s tried to figure out what movies they wanted to see, I imagine the conversation often revolved around who was in it. I can almost hear someone saying, “Hey, do you want to go see the new Elizabeth Taylor movie?” Fast forward to today, and it’s a different story. You’re more likely to hear, “Let’s go check out the new Marvel movie,” than a mention of a particular actor. Movie stars seem to be a thing of the past—but a few of them still shine. One of them is Brad Pitt. And while his new film F1: The Movie might be seen as an ad for how cool Formula One racing is, for me, it’s the new Brad Pitt movie—and he doesn’t disappoint.

When we first meet Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), he’s celebrating a race win. But this isn’t just any win—it’s a rare moment of triumph. Sonny was once a rising star in F1, but a crash and injury put the brakes on his career. Since then, he’s been racing wherever he can. An old rival from his F1 days, Ruben (Javier Bardem), is in a tough spot and reaches out to Sonny to offer him one more shot at the big leagues. At first, Sonny says no—but how do you pass up the chance to race at the highest level?

Ruben doesn’t just need Sonny to save his team; he also needs him to mentor his rookie driver, Joshua (Damson Idris), and help him reach his full potential. Along the way, there are speed bumps and curves, but when Sonny hits the straightaway, he just might be exactly what Ruben was looking for.

Written by Ehren Kruger and Joseph Kosinski (who also directs), F1: The Movie celebrates teamwork and reminds us that there’s no “I” in team. Like any team, there are weak spots—and in this film, it’s the script. It avoids messiness in favor of clean, functional plot points. While that approach can feel clunky at times, the story eventually lands with the clarity it aims for. This is a sports movie through and through. It follows the familiar blueprint and could easily be seen as a glorified commercial for Formula One. But none of that really matters—F1: The Movie delivers.

This is a dazzling sensory experience—the kind of movie that theaters were made for. It comes alive during the race scenes, which are frequent and thrilling, capturing both the breathtaking speed of the cars and the immense effort it takes to win. The visuals are stunning, and with a Hans Zimmer score elevating the drama, this film becomes something you don’t just watch—you feel!

As for the cast, Pitt is calm, cool, and channels major Robert Redford energy. Idris stands out as the fiery rookie, and Kerry Condon nearly steals the show—outshining Pitt in their scenes together, which is no easy feat. F1: The Movie is a return to blockbuster filmmaking that makes summer at the movies feel exciting again. It fills your senses and your cinema-loving soul. For any movie lover, this 1 is appointment viewing.