Joseph Kosinski’s F1 might be the loudest, fastest, and most relentlessly entertaining movie of 2025 so far. This is classic Hollywood craftsmanship firing on all cylinders. It’s character-driven, visually jaw-dropping, and bursting with that full-throttle energy that only a packed theater can amplify.
At nearly three hours long, F1 barely lets off the gas, and I mean that in the best way possible. From the first rev of the engine, Kosinski makes it clear… this is a film meant to be felt, not just watched.
At the heart of the story is Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes, a fallen star of the ‘90s Formula One scene who’s coaxed back to the big leagues for one last shot. Pitt brings a believable weight to Sonny, a guy haunted by what could’ve been, but still holding onto that old spark.
Javier Bardem plays the desperate but driven team owner Ruben, while Damson Idris shines as Joshua Pearce, the talented rookie with something to prove. You’ve seen this dynamic before of the mentor, the upstart, the ticking clock, but it works. The actors elevate it. The writing keeps it sharp, and there’s great chemistry.
The real hook here is the racing, and F1 absolutely delivers. Kosinski is such a talented technical director and uses upgraded tech from Top Gun: Maverick to slam viewers into the cockpit of these race cars and onto the track.
You experience every jolt, every hairpin turn, every millimeter between wheels. There are moments where the camera lingers just long enough on a tire brushing up against another tire, or the cars twitching ever so slightly, and it’s incredibly trilling and intense. It’s that attention to detail that makes F1 feel next-level.
Even if you don’t know a thing about Formula One, and trust me, I went in pretty clueless, the movie walks the line perfectly between spectacle and clarity. It doesn’t lecture, but it gives you just enough to understand how the sport works. Rules, strategy, rivalry, risk… it’s all there, baked into the story in a way that doesn’t slow anything down. You’re learning while white-knuckling the armrest, and that’s a rare trick to pull off.
Story-wise, this is a greatest-hits playlist of sports movie tropes, but it plays the hits hard and with style. Redemption, ego, mentorship, betrayal. It’s not reinventing the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. What it does do is deliver those emotional beats with sincerity and momentum. You care about these people. You care about who wins. And you care about how far Sonny’s willing to go to get that last taste of glory.
The supporting cast is excellent across the board. Kerry Condon especially stands out, offering a grounded presence in a movie that often feels like it might burst into flames from sheer velocity.
There’s also a nice streak of humor and warmth that keeps the characters from getting swallowed by the technical spectacle. Kosinski balances tone beautifully here. Yes, it’s sleek and stylized, but it also remembers to be human.
F1 is more than just a great racing movie, it’s a full-body experience. It’s popcorn cinema done right… loud, emotional, immersive, and totally satisfying. If Top Gun: Maverick was your jam, this one’s for you.
Whether you’re a Formula One fanatic or you’ve barely watched a lap in your life, you’ll walk out of this one with your heart pounding and a dumb grin on your face.
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