Anticipation has revved high for F1, the upcoming racing drama starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, the visionary behind Top Gun: Maverick. Hitting North American theaters on June 25th ahead of its global rollout, the film is poised as a major summer event, promising high-speed thrills and star power. But as early reactions and reviews begin to cross the finish line, a clear picture emerges: F1 is a technical spectacle that leans heavily on Brad Pitt’s undeniable charisma, but its reception is proving to be as twisty as a Monaco street circuit, leaving audiences and critics divided.
From the team that brought unprecedented aerial action to the screen in Maverick, F1 follows Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a former Formula One star whose career ended decades ago after a fiery crash. Now, pulled back into the sport by an old friend and team owner (Javier Bardem), he joins a struggling team to mentor a talented but struggling rookie driver, Joshua Pierce (Damson Idris). Alongside a sharp technical director (Kerry Condon), this trio navigates the cutthroat world of F1, aiming to climb from the back of the grid to championship contention.
High Praise for High-Speed Action
Where F1 consistently earns checkered flags is in its technical execution and visceral race sequences. Director Joseph Kosinski, along with cinematographer Claudio Miranda and editor Stephen Mirrione, are widely praised for putting the audience “in that driver’s seat.” The film utilizes wide-angle lenses and inventive camera placements to convey the intense G-force and blurring speed, creating a wildly immersive and exhilarating viewing experience, especially in formats like IMAX. Many early reactions on social media platform X hailed the technical aspects, calling the cinematography “OUTSTANDING” and the sound design and score (featuring Hans Zimmer) impactful. Some went as far as to declare Kosinski’s staged set pieces among the “most impressive racing scenes” ever filmed, capturing the pulse-pounding exhilaration of the sport. The speed of pit stops and strategic decisions are also noted as compelling elements.
Brad Pitt’s Charismatic Comeback
A major highlight cited by nearly all early viewers and critics is Brad Pitt’s performance as Sonny Hayes. Described as effortlessly charismatic, bringing “gravitas and grit” with a “casual late-period swagger,” Pitt is seen as anchoring the film. Reviewers felt he managed to “upstage the cars,” channeling classic Hollywood cool akin to a “crumpled Steve McQueen type.” His chemistry with Damson Idris is called “ELECTRIC,” and he convincingly embodies the veteran racer, even participating in driving scenes in modified F2 cars. Supporting cast members like Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon also receive praise for elevating their roles.
Hitting the Brakes: Criticisms Emerge
However, not everyone is ready to pop the champagne. A significant portion of the early feedback points to weaknesses in the film’s script and narrative depth. Critics describe the plot as formulaic, relying heavily on “every single cliché imaginable” found in sports underdog and redemption stories. The dialogue is sometimes called “hokey” or “rudimentary,” with exposition deemed “clunky.” Characters, outside of Pitt’s portrayal, are sometimes seen as “flat” or not developed enough to truly invest in. Some reactions felt the film was “a bit overly long” and that despite the technical brilliance, a lack of character investment prevented it from being a truly “great film,” labeling it “not a ‘bad’ film but far from a great one.”
The F1 Factor: Promotion or Drama?
Adding another layer to the reception is the film’s close collaboration with Formula One organizers and participants, including F1 champion Lewis Hamilton as a producer. This co-operation is seen as contributing to the film’s technical accuracy in depicting the cars and tracks, and it includes cameos from real drivers. However, some critiques suggest this partnership results in a film that feels less like a gritty drama and more like a “glossy corporate promotional film.” The film is criticized for an overly “fawning attitude” towards the sport, with excessive product placement and a notable lack of criticism or portrayal of negative aspects of F1. This reluctance to show true conflict or “villains” among rival teams is seen by some as reducing tension and making the stakes feel less significant. Despite this, the film does make an effort to be accessible to newcomers, using commentators and radio chatter to explain rules and strategy.
The Maverick Comparison Revisited
Given the shared director and writer, comparisons to Top Gun: Maverick were inevitable. While F1 is seen as a “spiritual successor” or “companion piece” in its dedication to practical, visceral action and elevating familiar genre material with “old-school filmmaking swagger,” reviews indicate it doesn’t quite reach Maverick‘s level of “transcendent pop cinema.” It might be labeled a “turbo-charged” or “high-velocity dad movie,” delivering rousing, sleek entertainment and successfully operating as a “crafty brand extension exercise” through “sheer implementational brilliance,” but the consensus leans towards it being a technically stunning spectacle that doesn’t quite match the emotional depth or narrative tightness of its predecessor.
The Verdict: A Divisive Race
Ultimately, early reactions paint F1 as a technically ambitious racing film powered by an effortlessly charming Brad Pitt performance. It delivers on high-octane action and immersive visuals, making it a thrilling theatrical experience for many. However, criticisms regarding its formulaic script, character depth, and perceived promotional feel temper the enthusiasm for others. While some hail it as the “best racing film” they’ve ever seen and a potential summer blockbuster, others find it falls short of greatness due to its narrative shortcomings. Whether F1 becomes a summer must-see seems to depend heavily on whether viewers prioritize groundbreaking technical spectacle and star power over narrative originality and character complexity.
