Brad Pitt’s ‘F1’ Praised as “Action-Packed” & “Audacious” In First Reactions

After the tremendous success of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, director Joseph Kosinski is moving from fast planes to fast cars with his new movie, F1. The film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, an aging racing driver who is given a shot in the Mercedes Formula 1 team, and has to work with his younger rival, Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris). The movie is a massive gamble for Apple, as the studio has sunk a reported $400 million into the project’s production. F1 is set to release in theaters on June 25. Ahead of its theatrical release, members of the press were treated to an advanced screening of the film, and the first reactions have just been released online. Has Kosinski achieved similar success to Top Gun: Maverick, or has F1 stalled out before it’s even started?

The first reactions to Joseph Kosinski’s F1 movie tease a second consecutive hit for the Top Gun: Maverick director. “Joseph Kosinski’s #F1TheMovie hits the gas and doesn’t stop,” wrote Fandango’s @ErikDavis. “The races are epic, the sound design, editing, cinematography, performances and music are all top notch. You definitely feel shades of Top Gun: Maverick in that it plays like an old school summer blockbuster.” Davis wasn’t the only critic to point out the film’s cinematography and sound design, as Variety’s @jazzt wrote:

“”It’s Pearce, down the insideeeee” WOW! [F1] is an action-packed thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score and cinematography are flawless. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt are great! Absolutely Obsessedddddd.”

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Meanwhile, @ZakRed567 quickly compared the film to Top Gun: Maverick, saying that Kosinski has achieved similar levels of visual and cinematic thrills. “#F1TheMovie is absolutely epic and a must-watch blockbuster movie for this summer,” their reaction began. “Following up Top Gun: Maverick is no small task, but Joseph Kosinski surpasses expectations and makes it easy for anyone to enjoy this film even if you are not interested in F1.”

‘F1’ Releases in Theaters This June

Apple TV+

Following the online reactions, hype for F1 is higher than ever. Not only have the reactions sung the praises of the movie, but Apple’s decision to lift the social media embargo three weeks before the film’s release is a very good sign that the studio has faith in the project to succeed. Apple should also feel relieved that the reactions are so positive, given the ridiculous budget of the movie. F1 will have to kick things into ninth gear to earn back its $400 million (estimated) production budget, which doesn’t even include marketing.

Alongside Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, F1 also stars Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem, Tobias Menzies, and Simone Ashley. Formula 1 fans will also notice some recognizable faces in the film, as Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Carlos Sainz Jr. will all cameo in the movie. F1 releases in theaters on June 25. Following its theatrical release, the film will stream on Apple TV+, although a streaming date has not been set.

F1

Release Date

June 27, 2025

Director

Joseph Kosinski

Writers

Ehren Kruger

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