/wcJmFsz8RqIhozMwvU81hreTX4i.jpg
DramaRomance

The Wrestler

- Love. Pain. Glory.

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson 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, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.

Release Date : 2008-09-07

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Wild BunchTop RopeSaturn FilmsProtozoa Pictures

Production Country : United States of AmericaFrance

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Mickey Rourke

Character Name : Randy

Original Name : Mickey Rourke

Gender : Male

Marisa Tomei

Character Name : Cassidy

Original Name : Marisa Tomei

Gender : Female

Evan Rachel Wood

Character Name : Stephanie

Original Name : Evan Rachel Wood

Gender : Female

Mark Margolis

Character Name : Lenny

Original Name : Mark Margolis

Gender : Male

Todd Barry

Character Name : Wayne

Original Name : Todd Barry

Gender : Male

Wass Stevens

Character Name : Nick Volpe

Original Name : Wass Stevens

Gender : Male

Judah Friedlander

Character Name : Scott Brumberg

Original Name : Judah Friedlander

Gender : Male

Ernest Miller

Character Name : The Ayatollah

Original Name : Ernest Miller

Gender : Male

Dylan Keith Summers

Character Name : Necro Butcher

Original Name : Dylan Keith Summers

Gender : Male

Tommy Farra

Character Name : Tommy Rotten

Original Name : Tommy Farra

Gender : Male

Mike Miller

Character Name : Lex Lethal

Original Name : Mike Miller

Gender : Male

Marcia Jean Kurtz

Character Name : Admissions Desk Woman

Original Name : Marcia Jean Kurtz

Gender : Female

John D'Leo

Character Name : Adam

Original Name : John D'Leo

Gender : Male

Ajay Naidu

Character Name : Medic

Original Name : Ajay Naidu

Gender : Male

Gregg Bello

Character Name : JAPW Promoter Larry Cohen

Original Name : Gregg Bello

Gender : Male

Scott Siegel

Character Name : Greg

Original Name : Scott Siegel

Gender : Male

Maurizio Ferrigno

Character Name : Spotter

Original Name : Maurizio Ferrigno

Gender : Male

Donnetta Lavinia Grays

Character Name : Jen

Original Name : Donnetta Lavinia Grays

Gender : Female

Andrea Langi

Character Name : Alyssa

Original Name : Andrea Langi

Gender : Female

Armin Amiri

Character Name : Dr. Moayedizadeh

Original Name : Armin Amiri

Gender : Male

Lynn Tovale Anoa'i

Character Name : Pharmacist

Original Name : Lynn Tovale Anoa'i

Gender : Female

Ryan Lynn

Character Name : Strip Club Best Man

Original Name : Ryan Lynn

Gender : Male

Michael Drayer

Character Name : Strip Club Bachelor

Original Name : Michael Drayer

Gender : Male

Alyssa Bresnahan

Character Name : Cheeques Bartender

Original Name : Alyssa Bresnahan

Gender : Female

Jeff Chena

Character Name : Hotel Bartender

Original Name : Jeff Chena

Gender : Male

Vernon Campbell

Character Name : Big Chris

Original Name : Vernon Campbell

Gender : Male

Felice Choi

Character Name : Beautician

Original Name : Felice Choi

Gender : Female

Bernadette Penotti

Character Name : Tanning Salon Owner

Original Name : Bernadette Penotti

Gender : Female

John L. Sullivan

Character Name : The Legend Johnny Valiant

Original Name : John L. Sullivan

Gender : Male

Ron Killings

Character Name : Ron "The Truth" Killings

Original Name : Ron Killings

Gender : Male

Giovanni Roselli

Character Name : Romeo Roselli

Original Name : Giovanni Roselli

Gender : Male

Robert D. Siegel

Character Name : Autograph Fan #1

Original Name : Robert D. Siegel

Gender : Male

Scott Franklin

Character Name : Autograph Fan #2

Original Name : Scott Franklin

Gender : Male

Sylvia Kauders

Character Name : Hudson Acres Lady at Deli Counter

Original Name : Sylvia Kauders

Gender : Female

Alissa Reisler

Character Name : Young Housewife at Deli Counter

Original Name : Alissa Reisler

Gender : Female

Willy Rosner

Character Name : Touchdown Man at Deli Counter

Original Name : Willy Rosner

Gender : Male

Rebecca Darke

Character Name : German Potato Salad Lady at Deli Counter

Original Name : Rebecca Darke

Gender : Female

E.J. Carroll

Character Name : Teamster at Deli Counter

Original Name : E.J. Carroll

Gender : Male

Abraham Aronofsky

Character Name : Annoyed Man at Deli Counter

Original Name : Abraham Aronofsky

Gender : Male

Charlotte Aronofsky

Character Name : Annoyed Woman at Deli Counter

Original Name : Charlotte Aronofsky

Gender : Female

TJ Kedzieerski

Character Name : Jameson

Original Name : TJ Kedzieerski

Gender : Male

Jen Cohn

Character Name : Get a Room Lady

Original Name : Jen Cohn

Gender : Male

Tyrone Scott

Character Name : WXW Announcer

Original Name : Tyrone Scott

Gender : Male

Douglas Crosby

Character Name : WXW Referee

Original Name : Douglas Crosby

Gender : Male

Larry Mercer

Character Name : CZW Announcer

Original Name : Larry Mercer

Gender : Male

Nick Papagerio

Character Name : CZW Referee

Original Name : Nick Papagerio

Gender : Male

Kevin Foote

Character Name : ROH Announcer

Original Name : Kevin Foote

Gender : Male

Jon Trosky

Character Name : ROH Referee

Original Name : Jon Trosky

Gender : Male

Andrew Koloszuk

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Andrew Koloszuk

Gender : Male

Daniel Solwold Jr.

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Daniel Solwold Jr.

Gender : Male

Brian Heffron

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Brian Heffron

Gender : Male

Nicholas K. Berk

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Nicholas K. Berk

Gender : Male

Brolly

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Brolly

Gender : Male

Lamar Braxton Porter

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Lamar Braxton Porter

Gender : Male

Claudio Castagnoli

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Claudio Castagnoli

Gender : Male

Cobian

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Cobian

Gender : Male

Doc Daniels

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Doc Daniels

Gender : Male

Bobby Dempsey

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Bobby Dempsey

Gender : Male

Billy Dream

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Billy Dream

Gender : Male

Rob Strauss

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Rob Strauss

Gender : Male

Nate Hatred

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Nate Hatred

Gender : Male

Kristopher Cope

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Kristopher Cope

Gender : Male

David John Markland

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : David John Markland

Gender : Male

Inferno

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Inferno

Gender : Male

Jess Liaudin

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Jess Liaudin

Gender : Male

Judas

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Judas

Gender : Male

Kid U.S.A.

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Kid U.S.A.

Gender : Male

Lloyd Anoa'i

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Lloyd Anoa'i

Gender : Male

Toa Mairie

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Toa Mairie

Gender : Male

Kevin Matthews

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Kevin Matthews

Gender : Male

Charles Renner

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Charles Renner

Gender : Male

Pete Nixon

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Pete Nixon

Gender : Male

Paul E. Normous

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Paul E. Normous

Gender : Male

Papadon

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Papadon

Gender : Male

Darnell Kittrell

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Darnell Kittrell

Gender : Male

Jay Santana

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Jay Santana

Gender : Male

Sugga

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Sugga

Gender : Male

Alex Whybrow

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Alex Whybrow

Gender : Male

Whacks

Character Name : Wrestler

Original Name : Whacks

Gender : Male

Ryan Tygh

Character Name : Fan (uncredited)

Original Name : Ryan Tygh

Gender : Male

Olivia Baseman

Character Name : Alyssa's Roommate (uncredited)

Original Name : Olivia Baseman

Gender : Female

Brandon DiCamillo

Character Name : Audience Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Brandon DiCamillo

Gender : Male

Sakinah Bingham

Character Name : Ring Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Sakinah Bingham

Gender : Female

Matt Cannon

Character Name : Crazy Fan (uncredited)

Original Name : Matt Cannon

Gender : Male

Peter Conboy

Character Name : Fans at Table (uncredited)

Original Name : Peter Conboy

Gender : Male

Evan Ginzburg

Character Name : Fan at Convention (uncredited)

Original Name : Evan Ginzburg

Gender : Male

Anna-Karin Eskilsson

Character Name : Girl in Supermarket (uncredited)

Original Name : Anna-Karin Eskilsson

Gender : Female

Cory Kastle

Character Name : Wrestler (uncredited)

Original Name : Cory Kastle

Gender : Male

Robert Oppel

Character Name : Wrestler (uncredited)

Original Name : Robert Oppel

Gender : Male

Piper Kenny

Character Name : DJ (uncredited)

Original Name : Piper Kenny

Gender : Male

Mike Marino

Character Name : Medic #2 (uncredited)

Original Name : Mike Marino

Gender : Male

Rafaela Ochoa

Character Name : Wrestling Fan (uncredited)

Original Name : Rafaela Ochoa

Gender : Female

Bill Walters

Character Name : Wrestling Fan (uncredited)

Original Name : Bill Walters

Gender : Male

Eric Santamaria

Character Name : Vendor (uncredited)

Original Name : Eric Santamaria

Gender : Male

Erika Smith

Character Name : Dancer (uncredited)

Original Name : Erika Smith

Gender : Female

Paul Thornton

Character Name : Strip Club Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Thornton

Gender : Male

Henry Kwan

Character Name : Strip Club Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Henry Kwan

Gender : Male

Ben Van Bergen

Character Name : Deli Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Ben Van Bergen

Gender : Male

Emmanuel Yarborough

Character Name : Sumo Wrestler (uncredited)

Original Name : Emmanuel Yarborough

Gender : Male

John Corson

Character Name : Wrestler (uncredited)

Original Name : John Corson

Gender : Male

Reviews

W

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

“The Wrestler” (2008) Twenty years past his glory days in the mid/late 80s, a wrestler (Mickey Rourke) struggles to make ends meet in New Jersey while wrestling on the weekends, taking illegal pain-meds, pursuing a dancer at the local strip club (Marisa Tomei) and trying to reestablish a relationship with his estranged daughter (Evan Rachel Wood). This is an engrossing, but gloomy drama about the grim reality of celebrities from practically any field who are long past their prime; it just happens to be a wrestler in this case. People mock how fake wrestling is, but those talented guys bend over backwards to entertain the audience with incredibly painful stunts. The film was shot in the winter in New Jersey and this augments the bleak pall. On the female front, Marisa is absolutely stunning as Cassidy (aka Pam) and Wood is convincing as the embittered daughter. Their relationships with the protagonist are a mixture of sweet, agonizing and moving. The soundtrack features several quality songs from the 80s: "Bang Your Head," "Round and Round," "Balls to the Wall," "Animal Magnetism," "Dangerous," "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)," "Sweet Child o' Mine" and more. The movie reminded me of 80’s metal star Jon Mikl Thor and the excellent documentary “I Am Thor” (2015) and, to a lesser extent, “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” (2008). While neither of these is as melancholic as “The Wrestler,” and “I Am Thor” is sometimes laugh-out-loud amusing, they both effectively show the grey reality of former real-life celebs well past their halcyon days. The film runs 1 hour, 49 minutes. GRADE: A-

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-03-30

Mickey Rourke is on top-form in this depiction of fading wrestling star "Randy". Once the talk of the tour, he has fallen on hard times. His body hasn't the strength or stamina it once had and after one fairly convincing pasting in the ring he decides it is time to hang up his loincloth. Whilst his professional life was full of glamour, testosterone and showbiz, his retirement is much less so. Still needing to work, he takes a job in a supermarket and all so he can eek out a living and hopefully establish a relationship with his long estranged daughter "Stephanie" (Evan Rachel Wood). When we are in the ring, this is an action-packed and entertaining film that illustrates well just how brief these folks' moment's in the sun can be, at how fickle the audiences can be and at just how little a dilapidated body (and soul) can be left with when injury and age impose themselves. I was much less interested in the slightly contrived, and predictable, familial melodrama into which this sinks in the middle, though. I found myself really disinterested in his love life - with the unconvinced "Cassidy" (Marisa Tomei), or in his attempts to repair his torrid relationship with "Stephanie". Luckily, that is but an intermission before the grand denouement that sees him in the ultimate grudge match against his equally aged foe "the Ayatollah" (Ernest Miller). The script is lively and frequently quite witty, the direction of the fight scenes captures well the physical endurance required by these athletes, but it also shows us that their job is to entertain us - not to actually kill each other! Rourke flips from the wrestler to the tortured father well here, and the film is well worth a watch.

G

griggs79

@griggs79

2025-03-28

What a film. It’s raw, heartfelt, and unexpectedly tender. Mickey Rourke's character, all battered pride and broken dreams, is a reflection of our own struggles, clinging to past glory while life keeps kicking him in the ribs. The themes of faded stardom, loneliness, and defiance really hit home. It’s not flashy, but it’s utterly gripping. Quietly devastating. I loved it.