The Machinist
Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
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  1. Premiere
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    38
    Director Brad Anderson (Session 9) overtly cribs from everyone from Dostoevsky to Kafka.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    30
    Unrelentingly dreary, and seemingly destined to be remembered, if at all, as that movie Christian Bale lost a full third of his body weight for. It doesn't deserve any better.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 4 out of 35
  1. grandpajoe6191
    8
    Director Brad Anderson's "The Machinist" provides a great script with precise dialogue. However the film mostly succeeds in shocking the audience by the amazing performance of Christian Bale.… Full Review »
  2. ianandsafina
    5
    Brad Anderson's "The Machinist" had a lot of hype but ultimately left us feeling underwhelmed. From the first twenty minutes, the film continued in a predictable manner. With a main character who was frankly clueless and showed absolutely no prior thought behind his actions, it made me feel uncomfortable to watch him try to figure out the mystery that unfolded. Although the end of the movie wasn't necessarily unexpected, it wasn't surprising, and almost came out of the blue. This film wound up being a desperate attempt at the avant-garde, and didn't really work as well as it could have.… Full Review »
  3. Duskspark
    8
    Both emotionally and physically, Bale nails the character he portrays: Trever Reznik, an man that hasn't slept due to unknown events. As the movie progresses, you get dragged into it, realising what is what, how everything is starting to make sense, and a satisfying conclusion to leave you with. The most interresting thing, however, is Bale's appearence. As he is most known in recent days as the muscled Bruce Wayne/Batman, his skinny and rather surprislingly slender body makes you frown from compassion, feeling not only sorry for Reznik, but also admiring Bale's acting.… Full Review »
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