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The Wrestler

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The Wrestler

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1h 50m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

99%

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229 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper (Marisa Tomei), and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.

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Critics Consensus

Mickey Rourke gives a performance for the ages in The Wrestler, a richly affecting, heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding drama.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

A story of personal ruin and while it certainly does echo Mickey's own life, it wouldn't be fair to say he is playing himself. Sure, Rourke's performance must have been informed by his own past, but that is different, as well as peculiarly powerful.

Aug 29, 2018

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Great performances, great story.

Rated: A

Mar 21, 2017

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 5/5

Nov 18, 2011

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

“Warm” and “human” are not two words you associate with Darren Aronofsky, but in 'The Wrestler' he is both, thanks in large part to the heartbreakingly open and vulnerable performance from Mickey Rourke, the comeback story of 2008.

Apr 6, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The Wrestler presents one of those rare occasions where the performance of its lead actor outweighs a film’s conventional story.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

A grittily stark and oftentimes sadly humorous look into the life of a lamentable man and his tragic profession.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

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Faiz D

An excellent touching drama about an aging wrestler.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

Full Review

Ellie S

I got into this film in the first minute. So authentic

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/25

Full Review

Sam N

What a film. It’s raw, heartfelt, and unexpectedly tender. Mickey Rourke's character, all battered pride and broken dreams, is a reflection of our own struggles, clinging to past glory while life keeps kicking him in the ribs. The themes of faded stardom, loneliness, and defiance really hit home. It’s not flashy, but it’s utterly gripping. Quietly devastating. I loved it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

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Production T

A gripping tale of love, lust and loss, set in a world the average man can relate to. The acting is flawless.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

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Leprechaun K

Excellent movie by Aronofsky and exceptional performance by Rourke. He should have won Oscar Best Actor for this. A movie about relationships, redemption, and forgiveness. Top 10 in my books.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/02/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Kind of a remake (Homeboy) same story , about a boxer. I'd go with original being better, it is dated and dark but....

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

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Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Marisa Tomei

Cassidy

Evan Rachel Wood

Stephanie

Mark Margolis

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Synopsis

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper (Marisa Tomei), and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Producer: Scott Franklin, Darren Aronofsky
Screenwriter: Robert D. Siegel
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Protozoa Pictures, Wild Bunch
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Sexuality|Some Drug Use|Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 17, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $26.2M
Runtime: 1h 50m

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