F1 The Movie: Critics' Scorecard - 27 Reviews, 67% Average

Anticipation is revving high as F1: The Movie prepares for its highly anticipated global release. The cinematic spectacle is set to hit cinemas in numerous countries in one week, followed by its North American debut just two days later. Directed by the acclaimed Joseph Kosinski and starring Hollywood icon Brad Pitt, the film promises an immersive dive into the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 racing, aiming to captivate both dedicated motorsport enthusiasts and general audiences alike.

The first wave of critical reviews from esteemed film critics who have had the opportunity to view the completed picture has just been published, offering an initial glimpse into the film’s reception. The early consensus reveals a mixed yet predominantly positive outlook, with many critics singling out the breathtaking action sequences and the compelling performances of the cast for particular praise. Notably, several reviewers have drawn favorable comparisons between F1: The Movie and Kosinski’s previous blockbuster hit, Top Gun: Maverick, suggesting a similar mastery in delivering large-scale, immersive cinematic experiences.

However, the film has not escaped scrutiny. Critics have also raised several points of criticism, frequently describing its narrative as predictable and its dialogue as overly exposition-heavy. A recurring observation, stemming from the film’s official licensing and co-production with Formula One Management, is that some reviewers feel the movie occasionally leans towards resembling an extended advertisement for the Formula 1 series itself. Despite these varied opinions, the film has garnered an average score of 67% across 27 scored reviews analyzed so far, indicating a generally favorable, albeit nuanced, critical reception.

A Deep Dive into the Pit Lane: Production and Vision

The journey to bring F1: The Movie to the big screen has been marked by a clear ambition to capture the essence and visceral thrill of Formula 1 racing with unparalleled authenticity. At the helm is Joseph Kosinski, a director renowned for his visual flair and ability to craft high-stakes narratives, most famously demonstrated in Top Gun: Maverick. This precedent set high expectations for F1: The Movie, especially concerning its action choreography and immersive sequences. Brad Pitt, a veteran actor, takes on a pivotal role, adding significant star power and drawing audiences into the human drama amidst the high-speed competition.

The production team went to extraordinary lengths to ensure realism, utilizing real F1 cars and tracks, and integrating practical effects wherever possible to convey the raw power and speed of the sport. This commitment to authenticity was a cornerstone of Kosinski’s vision, aiming to deliver a cinematic experience that makes viewers feel as though they are right in the cockpit, experiencing the G-forces and strategic pressures of a Grand Prix. The collaboration with Formula One Management also provided unprecedented access, allowing the filmmakers to delve deep into the intricacies of the sport, from the pit wall strategies to the rivalries on track.

The Checkered Flag: What Critics Applauded

The most consistently lauded aspect of F1: The Movie is undoubtedly its spectacular action sequences. Critics universally agree that the film excels in portraying the sheer speed, danger, and exhilaration of Formula 1 racing. Brian Viner from the Daily Mail, in his 4/5 review, enthusiastically notes, “I’ve seen better motor-racing movies but none which convey so viscerally the adrenaline rush of driving at speeds of well over 200mph.” This sentiment is echoed by Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post, who states, “We’re freaked out when automobiles flip over and catch fire. That’s where the movie’s surprises lie. In a script with totally predictable character journeys, all the grit comes from the grand prix.” The commitment to practical effects and on-track filming has clearly paid off, delivering a truly immersive and heart-pounding experience.

Joseph Kosinski’s directorial prowess, particularly his ability to craft “grandiose, big-budget crowdpleasers,” has also received high praise. Ross Bonaime of Collider, awarding the film an 8/10, remarks, “Between this and Top Gun: Maverick, Kosinski has shown he’s amazing at creating this sort of grandiose, big-budget crowdpleasers that feel massive in a way we rarely see anymore.” Jake Cole from Slant magazine concurs, suggesting that “F1 succeeds for many of the same reasons that Top Gun: Maverick does: for elevating familiar material with old-school filmmaking swagger.” This highlights Kosinski’s knack for elevating genre tropes through masterful execution and stunning visuals.

Furthermore, the performances, particularly Brad Pitt’s, have been generally well-received. Phil de Semlyen of Time Out, in his 4/5 review, credits Pitt’s “earthy charm” for helping to infuse some “old-school romance” into the modern world of F1. While the film’s narrative sometimes falters, the lead actors manage to ground the story with relatable human elements. Bill Bria from Discussing Film praises the film as one “made for the thrill of it,” aligning with Sonny’s (Pitt’s character) pursuit of speed and new frontiers, suggesting that the spirit of the film mirrors its protagonist’s drive.

The Yellow Flag: Areas of Criticism and Debate

Despite its visual splendor, F1: The Movie faces consistent criticism regarding its narrative depth and character development. A common complaint is the predictability of the plot, with Nicholas Barber of the BBC (2/5) lamenting, “If you scribbled down what you guessed the structure might be, you’d be absolutely correct – except that your version might have some more high-stakes jeopardy than the actual film.” This suggests that while the racing action is fresh, the underlying story follows a well-worn sports movie formula, leaving little room for genuine surprise.

Another frequently cited issue is the film’s reliance on exposition-heavy dialogue. Jake Coyle of the Associated Press (3/4) points out, “If there’s something preventing F1 from hitting full speed, it’s its insistence on having its characters constantly voice Sonny’s motivations. The same holds true on the race course, where broadcast commentary narrates virtually every moment of the drama.” James Mottram from Radio Times (3/5) similarly criticizes the “classic exposition dump” from race commentators attempting to explain complex regulations. This approach, while perhaps aiming for clarity, can alienate audiences and hinder organic character engagement, as highlighted by Ian Sandwell of Digital Spy (2/5), who found it “hard to be fully invested when you don’t care about the characters.”

Perhaps the most significant and recurring criticism, fueled by the film’s official partnership with Formula One Management, is the pervasive sense that the movie acts as a feature-length advertisement. George Simpson of The Express (2/5) bluntly labels it a “shameless commercialisation, making the whole thing feel like a feature-length advert for alcohol-free beer and Middle Eastern airlines.” Kevin Maher of The Times (2/5) echoes this, stating, “This big-budget racing movie looks fabulous, but it also plays out like a two-and-a-half-hour advert for the sport.” Danny Leigh of the Financial Times (4/5) also notes “the sheer volume of product placement is transfixing,” raising questions about the artistic integrity when commercial interests appear to heavily influence the narrative.

Furthermore, the film’s accessibility for newcomers to the sport has been a point of contention. Kaitlyn Booth of Bleeding Cool (7/10) observes, “In an attempt to really lean into realism, the film has also put up a gate between itself and people trying to get in for the first time by not explaining anything.” Conversely, Keith Collantine of RaceFans (3/5) critiques the film for being “obsessed with the banality of regulations and stewards’ decisions,” suggesting that the focus on minutiae might overshadow the broader appeal and “real joy of motor sport.” This creates a dichotomy where dedicated F1 fans might appreciate the detail, but general audiences could find themselves lost or disengaged.

Finally, the runtime itself, often cited as “overlong,” contributes to some critics’ reservations. A 2.5-hour duration for a film with a predictable plot and heavy exposition can test audience patience, even with visually stunning action. Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent (2/5) also brings up a unique point about Brad Pitt’s character, Sonny, suggesting that his “rage and recklessness are ultimately celebrated by the film,” which felt “uncomfortably close to a kind of image control in the wake of the allegations made by Pitt’s former partner.” This particular observation adds another layer to the critical discourse surrounding the film’s thematic choices.

Critical Consensus: A Balanced Verdict

With an average critical score of 67% across 27 reviews, F1: The Movie stands as a film that, while not universally acclaimed, is largely successful in delivering on its core promise: visceral, high-octane racing action. The strong visuals and impressive practical effects, combined with Kosinski’s proven ability to direct thrilling sequences, are consistently highlighted as the film’s major triumphs. For audiences seeking an immersive cinematic experience that captures the sheer excitement of Formula 1, the film is poised to deliver.

However, the criticisms regarding its predictable plot, heavy exposition, and perceived commercialism prevent it from achieving truly stellar marks. It appears to be a film that, while dazzling on the track, struggles to maintain the same level of engagement when the cars slow down and the dialogue takes center stage. The divide between F1 aficionados who will appreciate the authenticity and general viewers who might find the narrative lacking or the technical details overwhelming is a clear theme emerging from the reviews. Ultimately, as Simon Brew of Film Stories (3/5) summarizes, “Every criticism you can likely aim at it will stick a little, but it absolutely delivers on the main reason many will go to see it.”

The table below provides a comprehensive overview of individual critic ratings and their key observations:

“F1: The Movie” – The RaceFans review: Formula 1 looks smaller than ever on the big screen

Reviewer	Quote	Rating
Keith Collantine,RaceFans	“F1: The Movie offers a vision of the championship which is obsessed with the banality of regulations and stewards’ decisions. The real joy of motor sport is largely absent until the final lap.”	3/5
Jake Coyle,Associated Press	“If there’s something preventing F1 from hitting full speed, it’s its insistence on having its characters constantly voice Sonny’s motivations. The same holds true on the race course, where broadcast commentary narrates virtually every moment of the drama.”	3/4
Nicholas Barber,BBC	“If you scribbled down what you guessed the structure might be, you’d be absolutely correct – except that your version might have some more high-stakes jeopardy than the actual film.”	2/5
Kaitlyn Booth,Bleeding Cool	“What F1: The Movie could, and probably should, have done is make itself much more approachable for people just getting into the sport. In an attempt to really lean into realism, the film has also put up a gate between itself and people trying to get in for the first time by not explaining anything.”	7/10
Ross Bonaime,Collider	“Between this and Top Gun: Maverick, Kosinski has shown he’s amazing at creating this sort of grandiose, big-budget crowdpleasers that feel massive in a way we rarely see anymore.”	8/10
Brian Viner,Daily Mail	“But like the ropey plot, the clunky exposition hardly matters. I’ve seen better motor-racing movies but none which convey so viscerally the adrenaline rush of driving at speeds of well over 200mph.”	4/5
Ian Sandwell,Digital Spy	“An empty spectacle. You can appreciate the craft on display in the driving sequences, but it’s hard to be fully invested when you don’t care about the characters in them.”	2/5
Bill Bria,Discussing Film	“For Sonny, racing isn’t merely about taking risks or proving he’s the best in the world. It’s about climbing the mountain because it is there, as was once said, and seeing what other frontiers of speed lie over the next horizon. F1 is a movie after Sonny’s own heart: it’s a film made for the thrill of it. “	3.5/5
Sophie Butcher,Empire	“For Formula 1 fans, the sheer accuracy of F1’s depiction of the sport will be giddy-making; for agnostics, the races may feel a touch repetitive, and the level of detail may go over some heads.”	4/5
Simon Brew,Film Stories	“Every criticism you can likely aim at it will stick a little, but it absolutely delivers on the main reason many will go to see it.”	3/5
Danny Leigh,Financial Times	“A passing clue to the size of the project comes when Cervantes mourns being $350m in the red — not far from the $300m F1 is reported to have cost. Led Zep don’t come cheap. (And the sheer volume of product placement is transfixing: Bardem spends so long idling in front of a T-Mobile logo, you might take him for a cardboard cut-out.)”	4/5
Clint Gage,IGN	“As a sports movie following some pretty tried and true tactics, F1 ups its game at every stage of things. This won’t win it any awards for originality, but it still adds up to a real win.”	7/10
Chris Wasser,Irish Independent	“Kosinski’s joint isn’t quite as gripping as, say, Ron Howard’s Rush, nor is it as charming as James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari. Those films had a decent story under their hoods; not this one, and the flashy, cinematic sports ad stops being fun whenever Sonny and his pals exit their vehicles.”	3/5
Adam Woodward,Little White Lies	“If you’re looking for a serious window into the high-stakes, cutthroat world of Formula One, you certainly won’t find it here.”	4/5
Johnny Oleksinski,New York Post	“We’re freaked out when automobiles flip over and catch fire. That’s where the movie’s surprises lie. In a script with totally predictable character journeys, all the grit comes from the grand prix. “	3.5/4
James Mottram,Radio Times	“Spare a thought for the race commentators too, who have their work cut out explaining the complex race regulations that the maverick Sonny keeps breaking, in a classic exposition dump. But then that is the least of the narrative crimes this fun-but-dumb movie pulls.”	3/5
Jake Cole,Slant	“F1 succeeds for many of the same reasons that Top Gun: Maverick does: for elevating familiar material with old-school filmmaking swagger.”	3/4
George Simpson,The Express	“The lack of stakes and 1-note shallowness of the script feels worthy of yet another forgettable $200 million Netflix B-movie. F1’s biggest crime is its overlong 2.5-hour runtime and shameless commercialisation, making the whole thing feel like a feature-length advert for alcohol-free beer and Middle Eastern airlines.”	2/5
Peter Bradshaw,The Guardian	“There’s a fair bit of macho silliness here, but the panache with which director Joseph Kosinski puts it together is very entertaining.”	4/5
Clarisse Loughrey,The Independent	“Sonny is a character whose rage and recklessness are ultimately celebrated by the film as not only redeemable but, in certain situations, admirable, which feels uncomfortably close to a kind of image control in the wake of the allegations made by Pitt’s former partner, Angelina Jolie, as part of their protracted legal separation battles.”	2/5
Robbie Collin,The Telegraph	“For the most part F1 feels faithful rather than hamstrung, and the peerless race photography and deft writing around Pitt’s character – a late moment involving a pack of cards is even rather moving – are enough to smooth over the niggles.”	4/5
Kevin Maher,The Times	“This big-budget racing movie looks fabulous, but it also plays out like a two-and-a-half-hour advert for the sport.”	2/5
Phil de Semlyen,Time Out	“It’s hard to draw too much old-school romance from this world of sponsorship, celebrity and sports washing, but F1 manages it on the back of Pitt’s earthy charm. Watch it rev into the canon of great sports movies.”	4/5
Brian Truitt,USA Today	“The movie isn’t shy about lapping many a trope, yet the white-knuckle action sequences are where “F1” lives and breathes.”	3/4

F1: The Movie Trailers

Get a glimpse of the high-octane action and dramatic storytelling with the official trailers for F1: The Movie:

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Over to you

Advanced screenings of F1: The Movie have already been held for fans in some regions. Are you going to see it? If you have, what did you think of it? Have your say in the comments below and join the discussion about this highly anticipated racing epic.

This article will be updated regularly as more reviews become available. Please feel free to link to any scored, professional reviews of F1: The Movie for inclusion here.

F1 The Movie: Critics’ Scorecard – 27 Reviews, 67% Average