The Machinist

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The Machinist

R

Released Oct 22, 2004

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

77%

Tomatometer

141 Reviews

83%

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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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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

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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

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DYylan W

This is the first film I saw where I considered the immense commitment of the actor. Bale always gives a great performance, but this one will definitely stick with you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Isa B

The Machinist begins on a strong note, but steadily dwindles thereafter. Christian Bale is outstanding as always. The dedication that man has is unmatched in the annals of cinematic history. He was difficult to look at with his insane weight loss for this part. He weighed 120 lbs. in this role, which is unfathomable to me. Think about his next role as Batman or think Patrick Bateman from 4 years prior. He looks like a different man. Compare this look to the much heavier version of Christian Bale when he played Dick Cheney. Anyway, you get the point. Mr. Bale is a man who is dedicated to his craft. The music for the film was definitely modeled after Psycho, however, make no mistake, this film is NO Psycho. Not even close. At times, the music sounds like it could be on Home Alone. Both the music and the Ivan character make this otherwise very serious film seem a bit cartoonish. By the end of the picture, I was tired of Trevor and his delusions. The plot is predictable in so many places as this honestly isn't a very good film. Christian Bale lost all that weight for a C movie. I can't say as though I recommend the film, unless you happen to be checking out Bale's filmography and The Machinist next in line. 73/100

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

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Stephen H

Really good movie. Very dark and thrilling. Christian Bale!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

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Faiz D

An intelligent, well-crafted thriller, in which Christian Bale gives his all.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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

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34%

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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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