The Machinist

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The Machinist

R

2004

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) suffers from insomnia so severe that his condition has taken its toll on his weight and his mental health. When Trevor unintentionally causes an on-the-job accident that horribly injures a coworker (Michael Ironside), he begins to become even more troubled. Despite a relationship with Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a pretty prostitute, Trevor descends further into paranoia, blaming his problems on an enigmatic figure named Ivan (John Sharian).

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Critics Consensus

Brad Anderson's dark psychological thriller about a sleepless factory worker is elevated by Christian Bale astonishingly committed performance.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Until now Bale's screen persona has been defined by a graceful athleticism; here his physicality is repellent, yet he carries the occasionally creaky plot of Scott Kosar's unsettling screenplay to a resonant finish.

Oct 24, 2011

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

A few scenes into the gloom and you'll have a good idea what is generally up, if not the specifics, making the journey toward the eventual, inevitable twist fairly one-dimensional.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

One can't deny the dubious appeal of the spectacle of the skin-and-bone Bale, quite possibly endangering his health for the sake of his art.

Feb 9, 2006

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

"The Machinist" is a well-crafted psychological thriller about self-deception and tragedy, told against an eerie landscape of terrifying dislocation and isolation. This is one effed up horror movie.

Rated: FIVE STARS

Aug 4, 2024

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Mar 12, 2013

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Film4 Staff

Film4

If Nine Inch Nails, Swans and Ministry ever loomed large in the landscape of your imagination, Anderson's gloomy aesthetic may exert a sour but lingering pull.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 24, 2011

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James E

This is an absolutely brilliant, absorbing film. A classic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/25

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simon p

Extremely interesting and thought provoking. Much like Shutter Island I feel like if you follow the clues, you will figure out what happened around halfway through the movie. It is a great representation between guilt and atonement while also showing the contrast between reality and fiction.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/25

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Sérgio N

A dark psychological thriller that follows Trevor Reznik, a factory worker suffering from extreme insomnia. As his reality begins to distort, he spirals into paranoia and self-doubt. Christian Bale is incredible as always. While the plot is sinister, the script itself isn't as spectacular as the protagonist. In any case, it's worth checking out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/14/25

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Kyle C

This movie makes you feel really smart for getting it all, but upon reflection, it’s not actually that deep. But it’s still pretty well done and Christian Bale deserves respect for the sheer effort it took to make such a drastic physical transformation. The muted colors and restrained directing style give a constant sense that something isn’t quite right. Combine that with a few really disturbing scenes and you’ve got yourself a solid psychological thriller.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

Full Review

Fer S

It is a good movie, it just got kind of repetitive and I wanted it to end. I also felt I was going totally nuts, which I suppose speaks well of the movie?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

Full Review

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Brad Anderson

Director

Christian Bale

Trevor Reznik

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Stevie

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

Marie

John Sharian

Ivan

Michael Ironside

Miller

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34%

81%

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Synopsis

Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) suffers from insomnia so severe that his condition has taken its toll on his weight and his mental health. When Trevor unintentionally causes an on-the-job accident that horribly injures a coworker (Michael Ironside), he begins to become even more troubled. Despite a relationship with Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a pretty prostitute, Trevor descends further into paranoia, blaming his problems on an enigmatic figure named Ivan (John Sharian).

Director: Brad Anderson
Producer: Julio Fernández
Screenwriter: Scott Kosar
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Castelao Producciones S.A., Filmax, Fantastic Factory (Filmax)
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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