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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Faiz D

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

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/29/24

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dave e

This was a hard movie to watch and enjoy. The main character was skin and bones and has a sick mind. The acting was great, but really I just kept fast forwarding, to get to the end. Some will love it, some will hate it, I the ladder.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/24

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The R

A very very very good movie, Christian Bale plays really great and you absolutely want to know the end of the story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/24

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Jay H

Christian Bale's best performance.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

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Gareth v

A dark and gripping psychological thriller that is led by a captivating performance from Christian Bale. One of 2004's best movies.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

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Steve D

Modern Tell Tale Heart that really works.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/24

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

Miller

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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: Fantastic Factory (Filmax), Filmax, Castelao Producciones S.A.
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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