The Wrestler

Play trailer

The Wrestler

R

2008

1h 49m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

227 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Mickey Rourke gives a performance for the ages in The Wrestler, a richly affecting, heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding drama.

Read Critics Reviews

Deborah Ross

The Spectator

08/29/2018

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.

Go to Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

03/21/2017

A

Great performances, great story.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Cockrell

Sydney Morning Herald

01/22/2009

4.5/5

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

Go to Full Review

Gayle Sequeira

BFI

Aug 27

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.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/06/2024

“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.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/05/2023

3/4

The Wrestler presents one of those rare occasions where the performance of its lead actor outweighs a film’s conventional story.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Jack F

@MovieFan111 Feb 20

This is definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen. It was something different that really tugged at the heart strings. Yes, I can confidently say it's a masterpiece.

See more

Suzanne D

@Suzanne13 Feb 5

Tragically, beautiful and difficult to watch at times. This is a brutal look at the slow decline of an aging wrestler and the industry that chews up and spits out it’s performers.

See more

Johannes S

@RT64416087 Jan 9

A devastating character study concerning an aging wrestler unable to let go. It also offers up a grim and brutal look behind the curtains of professional wrestling.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown Jan 1

I'll agree that Rourke holds his own in the Wrestler, where he's aging and dealing with all his bad choices. But, it's so on the nose (strippers, booze) that it lacks some depth.

See more

Farah R

@Farah Nov 9

The Wrestler is anchored by Mickey Rourke’s devastatingly realistic performance, making it impossible not feel for his antihero. Besides that, there’s little to enjoy as the movie is bleak and slow.

See more

Freddy C

@Freddy1910 Oct 9

Uma história pesada e muito bem contada com muita linearidade planos definidos. O drama apresentado faz com que nós nos colocamos no lugar do Carneiro e entendemos uma pequena falha é que no final acabou muito rápido

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Marisa Tomei

Cassidy

Evan Rachel Wood

Stephanie

Mark Margolis

Lenny

Todd Barry

Wayne

Fighting Tommy Riley

63%

53%

Fighting Tommy Riley

Watchlist

Yonkers Joe

52%

50%

Yonkers Joe

Watchlist

Poor Boy's Game

83%

66%

Poor Boy's Game

Watchlist

The Village Barbershop

80%

57%

The Village Barbershop

Watchlist

Black Snake Moan

66%

69%

Black Snake Moan

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rank Marisa Tomei’s 10 Best Movies

Independent Spirit Award Winners Announced

Five Favourite Films with James Franco

View more photos

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 49m

Most Popular at Home Now