The Wrestler

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The Wrestler

R

Released Dec 17, 2008

1h 50m

Drama

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99%

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228 Reviews

88%

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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

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Eddie Cockrell

Sydney Morning Herald

Who better than Rourke to sell the idea of a battered, yet proud pugilist in search of redemption?

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 22, 2009

Full Review

Gayle Sequeira

BFI

Aronofsky makes movies about people who suffer for their art, but in The Wrestler, suffering is the art, the spectacle that people are so drawn to. A distillation of his most enduring themes, it still foregoes his more disorienting visual tricks.

Aug 27, 2025

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

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Jey D

Aronofsky's best and one of the all-time great sports dramas.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/25

Full Review

Graham M

He should have won the Academy Award for this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/10/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 50 minutes!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Nudity, Language, Sexuality, Some Drug Use and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $26,200,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/07/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Marisa Tomei

Cassidy

Evan Rachel Wood

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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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