Brad Pitt returns to the action genre with his latest film, F1, which has debuted with a solid score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes following its premiere on June 16 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and co-written by Ehren Kruger—the team behind the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick—the film stars Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver mentoring a promising rookie, Joshua “Noah” Pearce (played by Damon Idris), for the fictional Apex Grand Prix team. The ensemble cast also includes Oscar nominee Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Oscar winner Javier Bardem.
Initial reviews praise F1 for its visually stunning racing sequences, vibrant cinematography, and thrilling action set pieces. ScreenRant’s Mae Abdulbaki described the film as an “adrenaline-fueled sports drama,” noting it might transform casual viewers into F1 enthusiasts despite its promotional feel. Critics broadly acknowledge Brad Pitt’s charismatic performance and Kosinski’s energetic direction as highlights of the film.
However, the movie isn’t without criticisms. Some reviewers point to its predictable plot, familiar clichés, and thin character development, suggesting that the movie prioritizes spectacle over narrative depth. Despite these drawbacks, F1 remains a crowd-pleasing blockbuster likely to draw strong audiences once it hits theaters nationwide later this month.
While the initial Rotten Tomatoes score is commendable, F1 falls notably short of Kosinski’s earlier success, Top Gun: Maverick, which garnered a 96% score. Still, audiences looking for fast-paced, high-energy entertainment are likely to find plenty to enjoy in Pitt’s latest cinematic outing.