The Machinist (2004)
Kernel Score: 84% · 6,047 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Thriller, Drama
Released: 2004-09-24
Runtime: 102 minutes
Is The Machinist worth watching?
Worth watching. An insomniac factory worker, dangerously thin, is followed by a stranger no one else sees. Christian Bale's physical transformation is startling, and the grim, paranoid thriller keeps you guessing, though it's bleak.
Watch it if you
- like paranoid psychological thrillers
- enjoy a lead performance that commits fully
- want a short, moody mystery
Skip it if you
- want a cheerful watch
- dislike dark, slow-burn tone
Best for: Dark solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Machinist
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Free with ads: Hoopla, Fawesome, YouTube Free
- Rent: JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
Trevor, an insomniac lathe operator, experiences unusual occurrences at work and home. A strange man follows him everywhere, but no one else seems to notice him.
The Machinist parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Machinist is a psychological thriller about a disturbed insomniac experiencing paranoid delusions.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Includes disturbing psychological torment, an accident, and unsettling imagery tied to guilt and paranoia.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Machinist
If you liked The Machinist, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Fight Club (1999) — 96%: Unreliable mind and a mystery that twists reality
- Shutter Island (2010) — 91%: Disturbing psychological mystery about what's real
- Following (1999) — 79%: Small, twisty thriller about a man who follows strangers
- The Usual Suspects (1995) — 91%: Twisty thriller where nothing is what it seems
- Joker (2019) — 92%: Dark character study of a damaged man
- Promising Young Woman (2020) — 84%: Dark, sharp thriller built around a mysterious motive
Director
Brad Anderson
Cast
- Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stevie
- Aitana Sánchez-Gijón as Marie
- John Sharian as Ivan
- Michael Ironside as Miller
- Lawrence Gilliard Jr. as Jackson
- Reg E. Cathey as Jones
- Anna Massey as Mrs. Shike
- Matthew Romero Moore as Nicholas
- Robert Long as Supervisor Furman
The Machinist FAQ
Is The Machinist worth watching?
Worth watching. An insomniac factory worker, dangerously thin, is followed by a stranger no one else sees. Christian Bale's physical transformation is startling, and the grim, paranoid thriller keeps you guessing, though it's bleak.
Where can I watch The Machinist?
In the US you can stream The Machinist on Fubo and Paramount+, watch it free with ads on Hoopla, Fawesome and YouTube Free and rent it from JustWatch TV Free, Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is The Machinist OK for kids?
The Machinist is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Machinist is a psychological thriller about a disturbed insomniac experiencing paranoid delusions.
What movies are like The Machinist?
If you liked The Machinist, try Fight Club, Shutter Island, Following and The Usual Suspects.