The Wrestler

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

List

98%

232 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Premiered Jan 02

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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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Scarface

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/24

Full Review

James B

one of mickey rourkes best performances a great movie see it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/21/23

Full Review

Benjamin H

Offering a peak performance by Mickey Rourke and typically immersive direction by Darren Aronofosky, The Wrestler is a deeply poignant and unflinching drama in spite of some elements that either is a tad cliched or underweighed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/29/23

Full Review

Suzy G

I think Mickey Rourke got robbed of an Oscar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/30/23

Full Review

Christina J

A stunning character portrait. I don't even like wrestling. Aronofsky is a master.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/26/23

Full Review

Panos T

Great story and performance by the actors.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

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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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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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
Executive Producer: Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Jennifer Roth
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

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