Bale amazes in this bleak mind bender.

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2015)

It's a mind-bending thriller very much like Memento ; the influence is clear as day. But The Machinist is a distinctly dark and disturbing film. Christian Bale dropped down to an alarmingly low weight to immerse himself in the role of his harrowing burnt-out character.
Trevor hasn't slept for over a year, and it's taking a heavy toll on his sanity. With frequent hallucinations, it's up to the viewer to decide which events have actually happened and which are purely a figment of his imagination. You'll also have to decide which of the supporting cast of characters are portrayed in their genuine personalities and which ones are merely a projection of the protagonist's own regrets and desires.
It's confusing the entire way through but the ending will clarify everything. There's lots of disturbing, bizarre and iconic imagery between bleach, the hangman notes, the fish and Dostoyevsky's The Idiot. Make of this nightmarish gem what you will.