The Wrestler

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1h 50m

Drama

List

98%

Tomatometer

232 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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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Isa B

Mickey Rourke gives a truly emotional performance and probably the best of his career. Darren Aronofsky knows how to create depression and capture it on film. It is his specialty. This is heavy stuff in The Wrestler. This is the most accurate depiction of a past-his-prime professional wrestler clinging onto what's left of his career and fame that you will ever see. I love the handheld camera work in this picture. It gives it that realistic feel. I love the story arc where there is a ray of hope for Randy. He might be able to restore his relationship with his estranged daughter. He might just have himself a girlfriend in Pam. Well, no such luck for Randy "The Ram". All that's left for him is one more match that his bum ticker can't handle. He would rather go out doing what he loves than to continue on the miserable life he is living these days. What an emotional, sad, but beautiful film. They knocked it out of the park with this one. I highly recommend. 96/100

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

Ohad R

A moving performance by Mickey Rourke, as a washed out wrestler (the Ram). Marisa Tomei (Pam), his love interest, works as a stripper. She deserves credit, as the strip club scenes must have taken a toll on her. Bruce Springsteen wrote the ending song, which is powerful and heart rending. If you have a heart, this movie is sure to touch you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Dave W

Heartfelt and genuine. The role Mickey was born to play. A reflection for all of us about how blind ambition can be dangerous. But overall the ending is an Darren Aronofsky masterpiece. Talking about human nature. We are what we are.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/19/24

Full Review

tony t

I love this movie it was so well done mickey should have won an oscar

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/08/24

Full Review

Joshua C

Mickey Rourke delivers a powerhouse performance in “The Wrestler”, a simple, yet effective film about the struggle to let go of the past, and ultimately missing out on the present as a result of it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/30/24

Full Review

Scarface

One of the best films ever made. I love Mickey Rourke.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

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Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Marisa Tomei

Cassidy

Evan Rachel Wood

Stephanie

Mark Margolis

Lenny

Todd Barry

Wayne

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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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