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The Wrestler streaming

2008 Movie United States, France Drama, Romance, Sport 104 min 12
By: Darren Aronofsky With: Marcia Jean Kurtz, Ron Killings, Whacks, Alex Whybrow, Michael Drayer

This is a drama about an aging professional wrestler, decades past his prime, who now barely gets by working small wrestling shows in VFW halls and as a part-time grocery store employee. As he faces health problems that may end his wrestling career for good he attempts to come to terms with his life outside the ring: by working full time at the grocery store, trying to reconcile with the daughter he abandoned in childhood and forming a closer bond with a stripper he has romantic feelings for. He struggles with his new life and an offer of a high-profile rematch with his 1980s arch-nemesis, The Ayatollah, which may be his ticket back to stardom.

Filmium rating
83%

Mood

Emotional
Heart-Wrenching
Inspirational
Melancholic
Reflective
Serious
Touching
Tragic

Cast & Crew

Darren Aronofsky
Robert Siegel
Evan Rachel Wood
Maurizio Ferrigno
Alissa Reisler
Jeff Chena
David John Markland
Ron Killings
Daniel Solwold Jr.
Marcia Jean Kurtz
Lloyd Anoa'i
Michael Drayer
Whacks
Larry Mercer
Rob Strauss
Matt Cannon
Alyssa Bresnahan
Mark Margolis
Andrea Langi
Brian Heffron
Papadon
Vernon Campbell
Doc Daniels
Ryan Lynn
Wass Stevens
Gregg Bello
Claudio Castagnoli
Bill Walters
Nicholas K. Berk
Todd Barry
Judas
Brandon DiCamillo
Jess Liaudin
Olivia Baseman
Peter Conboy
Willy Rosner
Nate Hatred
Kevin Foote
Mickey Rourke
Donnetta Lavinia Grays
Charlotte Aronofsky
Rebecca Darke
Piper Kenny
Billy Dream
Rafaela Ochoa
Armin Amiri
E.J. Carroll
Paul E. Normous
Robert Oppel
TJ Kedzieerski
Inferno
Charles Renner
Scott Siegel
John Corson
Dylan Keith Summers
Jay Santana
Ajay Naidu
Toa Mairie
Lamar Braxton Porter
Anna-Karin Eskilsson
Judah Friedlander
Cory Kastle
Andrew Anderson
Darnell Kittrell
Bernadette Penotti
Ernest Miller
Kevin Matthews
Erika Smith
Giovanni Roselli
Jen Cohn
Marisa Tomei
Sylvia Kauders
Nick Papagerio
Sakinah Bingham
Kristopher Cope
Tommy Farra
Abraham Aronofsky
Sugga
Mike Miller
Lynn Tovale Anoa'i
Cobian
Felice Choi
Henry Kwan
Ryan Tygh
Pete Nixon
Emmanuel Yarborough
Bobby Dempsey
John D'Leo
Ben Van Bergen
Alex Whybrow
Kid U.S.A.
John L. Sullivan
Brolly

Budget

Independent
Independent Film
Modest Budget

Cinematic Technique

16Mm Film
Authentic Social Interactions
Documentary-Style
Handheld Camera
Improvised Locker Room Scenes
Improvised Scenes
Intimate

Film Movements

European Film Influence
Neorealism

Narrative Structure

Character-Driven
Flashbacks
Linear

Pace

Deliberate
Intense
Intimate
Reflective
Slow-Paced

Runtime

Approx. 115 Minutes
Character Focus
Long Runtime

Soundtrack

Bruce Springsteen Song
Rock Soundtrack
Score By Clint Mansell

Style

Cinematic
Gritty
Raw
Realistic

Time-Period

1980S
Contemporary
Late 2000S

Central Conflict

Career Decline
Desire For Redemption
Fame Decline
Health Issues
Heart Health
Internal Struggle
Reconciliation
Seeking Redemption
Self-Acceptance

Characters

Aging Wrestler
Estranged Daughter
Manager
Opponent 'The Ayatollah'
Professional Wrestler
Stripper
Wrestling Fans

Ending

Bittersweet
Crowd Cheers
Emotional Farewell
Leap From The Top Rope
Tragic

Historical Context

1980S Wrestling
Contemporary
Late 2000S
Modern Wrestling Culture
Modern-Day

Key Plot Points

Final Match
Heart Attack
Rematch
Retirement
Return To Ring
Return To Wrestling
Wrestling Rematch

Plot

Aging Wrestler
Estranged Daughter
Heart Attack
Personal Conflict
Redemption
Retirement
Romance With Stripper
Self-Destruction
Struggle
Wrestling Comeback

Setting

Beachfront
Beachfront Boardwalk
Independent Wrestling Venues
New Jersey
Strip Club
Supermarket
Trailer Park

Shooting Location

New Jersey
New York
Philadelphia

Theme

Aging
Identity
Legacy
Loneliness
Obligation
Personal Struggle
Redemption
Self-Destruction

Genre

Character Study
Drama
Realism
Sports Drama
Sports Film

Audiences

Adults
Drama Enthusiasts
Drama Lovers
Sports Fans
Wrestling Fans

Titles

A pankrátor
Le Lutteur
Luptatorul
Maadleja
O Lutador
O Wrestler
Resurâ
The Wrestler
The Wrestler - painija
The Wrestler - Ruhm. Liebe. Schmerz.
Zapasnik
Рестлер
摔角手
더 레슬러

Awards

Bafta
Bafta Nomination
Golden Globe
Golden Lion
Independent Spirit
Oscar Nomination

Box Office Success

Cult Following
Limited Release
Moderate Success
Modest Budget

Critical Reception

98% Critics Positive
High Praise
Powerful Performance

Festivals

Venice Film Festival

Popularity

Award Recognition
Cult Following
Cult Status

Ratings

Favorable Reviews
High Ratings
Metacritic 80

Reception

Award-Winning
Awards
Critical Acclaim
Festival Success
High Ratings
Positive Reviews

Production Countries

United States

Release Year

2008
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