The Machinist – Review

While most cinema fanatics are well aware of The Machinist, but at this point the movie is over 20 years old so this is a refresher for newer audiences.

Beginning with an unhealthily skinny, tired and bloodied man Trevor Reznik (Bale) rolling a body up into a carpet, a sinister tone is set immediately. Trevor drives the rugged-up body in his truck down to the beach. He lugs it to the shore. Suddenly he sees someone coming well behind him with a flashlight in hand, so he tosses the rug quickly down an incline, however it gets stuck after rolling a bit. Then, the light from behind hits Trevor’s face as he spins to look. He is greeted with a question, “Who are you?”

Trevor is then home, washing his dirty hands, with a flashlight behind him on his bed. What nefarious events have occurred? Trevor looks at himself in the mirror and notices a yellow post-it note behind him asking… Who Are You?

The Machinist is a dark and twisted tale of crime and drama. It is mostly a psychologically harrowing venture through a tortured mind, as Trevor Reznik struggles to find the solace of sleep. He works at a machine shop all day, giving the film its title, but by night, he just can’t sleep. It is causing his body and mind to waste away, and he can barely keep care of himself in any way.

The machine shop is full of hard-working white-collar guys, and Trevor semi fits in. They invite him for a poker night, but he says he has plans. But… those plans appear to be mostly drinking coffee at a diner. The waitress Marie (Sánchez-Gijón) suggests he needs a good night’s sleep. The clock on the wall does strange things. Then there are taunting mysterious notes, and an even odder stranger named Ivan (Sharian).

Where is this all going? Well, the film is a decently deep dive into psychology and effects of trauma on people. There are many wounded and realistic characters, and the acting and direction is top notch. The script is well paced, mysterious and dark in the right ways.

When people use the term “mindfuck of a movie” this would apply to The Machinist. There are tons of story oddities that are actually hints of the resolution. It’s even more impressive of a movie due to Bale’s insanely dedicated performance. Bale actually did drop a ton of weight for the role, and got downright unhealthy to match his character’s physical issues.

If you are up for a dark mystery and a psychological deep dive, hit up The Machinist. Just be warned, this is not the feel-good movie of the year. All questions will be answered by the end credits, despite its abstract narrative.

It’s funny… I’ve never seen you here before.