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The Wrestler

Play trailer Poster for The Wrestler R 2008 1h 49m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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The Wrestler

The Wrestler

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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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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator Aug 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 Mar 21, 2017
A
Great performances, great story. Go to Full Review Eddie Cockrell Sydney Morning Herald Jan 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, 2025
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 Apr 6, 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 Sep 5, 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

Audience Reviews

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Oaklee D @ODie63 Sep 14, 2026 captivating and devastating, a must watch for fans of wrestling and drama films alike. See more Joel K @RT55426271 Jul 23, 2026 I had high hopes for this film, but ultimately I found it fell a little short of the mark. I really wanted to like it more. It was quite slow and difficult to watch at times. I'm not sure that patience was rewarded by the time the credits hit. See more Hevi D @RT58947813 Jul 8, 2026 Raw performance by Mickey Rourke. Amazing,fantastic,emotional,heart opening. Thank you all who created it. See more Sapere A @RT77933623 Mar 27, 2026 Rourke ruptures our hearts too. Aronofsky directs without affectation. See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Feb 20, 2026 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, 2026 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 Read all reviews
The Wrestler

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Cast & Crew

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Darren Aronofsky

Director

Mickey Rourke

Robin Ramzinski

Evan Rachel Wood

Stephanie

Mark Margolis

Lenny

Todd Barry

Wayne

Wass Stevens

Nick Volpe

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The Wrestler

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Movie Info

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
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