Strap In: ‘F1’ Is a Full-Throttle Masterpiece - Review
It did not take much for me to get excited for F1, even though I do not watch it as a sport at all. When I saw Joseph Kosinski was attached to direct, and it had a similar feel to Top Gun: Maverick (one of my favorite films of 2022), I couldn’t help but crank up my overall excitement. That said, F1 isn’t just the best movie of the year so far — it’s a cinematic adrenaline rush that had me locked in from the very first frame. Kosinski has done it again, delivering a high-octane story that blends breathtaking realism with deeply human emotion. At the center of it all is Brad Pitt, who gives one of his most commanding performances in years. Charismatic, weathered, and driven, his character feels fully lived-in, and he anchors the film with quiet intensity and heart. He’s not trying to outshine the spectacle — he’s grounding it. And that balance makes F1 so much more than a racing movie.
Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures (2025)
The supporting cast is just as strong, helping build a racing world that feels alive with intensity, camaraderie, and genuine emotional weight. Damson Idris absolutely holds his own opposite Brad Pitt, bringing fire and heart to his role as a rising F1 star with something to prove — their dynamic crackles with tension and mutual respect. Kerry Condon is fantastic as the team’s sharp-minded technical director, grounding the film with grit and emotional clarity. Javier Bardem adds a layered, unpredictable edge as the team owner, injecting just the right amount of chaos and charm into every scene he's in.
Together, they flesh out a world where the stakes are as emotional as they are physical — where every pit stop, every decision, every glance carries weight. Some of the film’s key moments are sure to leave jaws on the ground, not just because of the action, but because of how much we care about the people behind the helmets. The script avoids tired sports movie tropes and instead delivers a sharp, character-driven drama that respects the audience’s intelligence and never loses momentum.
Technically, F1 is nothing short of outstanding. The race sequences are thrilling, fast, immersive, and shot with a clarity that puts you right on the track. But what really sets the film apart is its sound design. Every roar of the engine, every tire screech, every crowd cheer hits you in the chest. It's the kind of visceral experience that demands to be seen in Dolby or IMAX — not for spectacle alone, but because it heightens the entire emotional and sensory journey.
Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures (2025)
There’s a precision to how this story is told that mirrors the meticulous nature of Formula 1 itself. It’s not just about the race — it’s about the obsession, the sacrifice, and the pursuit of legacy. That’s where F1 truly excels. It has all the spectacle you’d expect, but it also has soul.
Verdict:
I honestly don’t know if any other film this year will top it — we’ve still got a long summer ahead, sure, but F1 just set an incredibly high bar. A must-see in theaters. Just… incredible.
RATING:
5 out of 5
