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%

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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

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Great performances, great story.

Rated: A

Mar 21, 2017

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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

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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

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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

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Fer S

Nice little movie! Not the most interesting plot but great acting by Mickey Rourke and very well achieved in general. I liked the ending. Not your typical cliché movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/25

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Billy D

A gritty, heart-wrentching movie dripping with authenticity, The Wrestler at times seems a biopic of Mickey Rourke himself. It is obvious the actor drew on his own bruised and battered past to fuel his performance as Randy "The Ram" Robinson -and what high octane stuff it is. To root for Randy (and you will) is to root for Mickey himself. Marisa Tomei is equally as magnificent as Pam, the kind hearted yet jaded stripper whose heart Randy longs for, yet can only rent by the dance. A movie truly driven by its performances, The Wrestler is an ode to all of us who are forced to look back on the best days of our lives while doing our best to survive the aftermath. Highly recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/20/24

Full Review

Chase P

The Wrestler is an amazing deep dive into the psychology of a man who has nothing more to lose. Following Micky Rorque as "Randy the Ram", in a story that almost mirrors his real-life career, he tries to mend the relationship with his daughter, find love, and continue to do the only thing that he has left. With one of the most ambiguous endings (possibly) ever, I think it is nothing short of a masterpiece and a must-watch, and even if you aren't a wrestling fan, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Dionisis T

Can't believe such a movie existed!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Jason W

For what this movie is, it's pretty close to perfect. It feels more like real life than a film. Rourke and Tomei are at the top of their game, playing damaged middle-agers trying to reclaim the glory of their youth. And the ending is one of the best I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

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Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Marisa Tomei

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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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