The Machinist

77%

Tomatometer

142 Reviews

83%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) suffers from insomnia so severe that his condition has taken its toll on his weight and his mental health. When Trevor unintentionally causes an on-the-job accident that horribly injures a coworker (Michael Ironside), he begins to become even more troubled. Despite a relationship with Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a pretty prostitute, Trevor descends further into paranoia, blaming his problems on an enigmatic figure named Ivan (John Sharian).

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The Machinist

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Brad Anderson's dark psychological thriller about a sleepless factory worker is elevated by Christian Bale astonishingly committed performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

Until now Bale's screen persona has been defined by a graceful athleticism; here his physicality is repellent, yet he carries the occasionally creaky plot of Scott Kosar's unsettling screenplay to a resonant finish.

Oct 24, 2011

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Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

A few scenes into the gloom and you'll have a good idea what is generally up, if not the specifics, making the journey toward the eventual, inevitable twist fairly one-dimensional.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 1, 2006

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

One can't deny the dubious appeal of the spectacle of the skin-and-bone Bale, quite possibly endangering his health for the sake of his art.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: B+

Mar 12, 2013

Full Review

Film4 Staff

Film4

If Nine Inch Nails, Swans and Ministry ever loomed large in the landscape of your imagination, Anderson's gloomy aesthetic may exert a sour but lingering pull.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 24, 2011

Full Review

Victoria Alexander

FilmsInReview.com

A brilliant, harrowing performance by Bale.

Oct 24, 2011

Full Review

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Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

dave e This was a hard movie to watch and enjoy. The main character was skin and bones and has a sick mind. The acting was great, but really I just kept fast forwarding, to get to the end. Some will love it, some will hate it, I the ladder. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/07/24 Full Review The R A very very very good movie, Christian Bale plays really great and you absolutely want to know the end of the story. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/01/24 Full Review Jay H Christian Bale's best performance. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/01/24 Full Review Gareth v A dark and gripping psychological thriller that is led by a captivating performance from Christian Bale. One of 2004's best movies. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review Steve D Modern Tell Tale Heart that really works. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/24 Full Review Steve J Grate movie!Grate movie!Grate movie!Grate movie! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/31/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Machinist

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Cast & Crew

Brad Anderson Director Christian Bale Trevor Reznik Jennifer Jason Leigh Stevie Aitana Sánchez-Gijón Marie John Sharian Ivan Michael Ironside Miller

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Movie Info

Synopsis Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) suffers from insomnia so severe that his condition has taken its toll on his weight and his mental health. When Trevor unintentionally causes an on-the-job accident that horribly injures a coworker (Michael Ironside), he begins to become even more troubled. Despite a relationship with Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a pretty prostitute, Trevor descends further into paranoia, blaming his problems on an enigmatic figure named Ivan (John Sharian).

Director: Brad Anderson
Producer: Julio Fernández
Screenwriter: Scott Kosar
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Fantastic Factory (Filmax), Filmax, Castelao Producciones S.A.
Rating: R (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 2004, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.1M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround