A little guilt goes a long way…|Feb. 09, 2004|Spain, France, United Kingdom, United States|101 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Thriller
Description: The Machinist (2004) is a psychological thriller that follows Trevor Reznik, a machinist suffering from severe insomnia, which has caused him to become dangerously emaciated. His deteriorating physical and mental state alienates him from his coworkers, who eventually turn against him after an accident at the factory results in his coworker, Miller, losing an arm. Trevor becomes increasingly paranoid as he begins to notice strange occurrences around him. He finds solace in the company of Stevie, a compassionate prostitute, and Maria, a waitress at a diner he frequents.
Trevor is haunted by recurring, unsettling images, and even ordinary objects, like his car’s cigarette lighter, take on a menacing quality. Mysterious post-it notes appear on his refrigerator, forming a sinister game of hangman. These events push him further into paranoia, and he struggles to maintain his sanity. During an outing with Maria and her son, Nicholas, at an amusement park, Trevor’s paranoia escalates on a funhouse ride called “Route 666,” which triggers Nicholas’s epileptic seizure.
Trevor becomes convinced that someone is orchestrating these events to drive him mad. He discovers a photo in the wallet of an unfamiliar coworker, Ivan, showing Ivan fishing with another coworker, Reynolds. After a near-fatal accident at work, Trevor lashes out and is fired. His life spirals further out of control as his electricity is cut off, and a dark, viscous liquid resembling blood begins to seep from his freezer. The film delves into Trevor’s fractured psyche, leaving viewers questioning reality and the nature of his torment.
Cast director: Brad Anderson
Cast actor: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Craig Stevenson, Reg E. Cathey, Anna Massey, Matthew Romero Moore
Original name: The Machinist