Rock Star

Rock Star (2001)

  • 52% of critics liked it
    (128 reviews)

  • 57% of users liked it
    (60,291 ratings)

Loosely inspired by the true story of the heavy metal band Judas Priest, this music industry fable from director Stephen Herek is based on a script by actor-turned-writer/director John Stockwell. Mark Wahlberg stars as Chris Cole, a wannabe rock star who works by day as a copy machine repairman and… More

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R,
Directed By
Written By
John Stockwell, Callie Khouri
Genres
Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
In Theaters
Sep 7, 2001 Wide
Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

    Every character becomes a cipher for a strangely reactionary morality tale.

  • Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

    It is a nonstop cliche.

  • Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

    The weight of what might have been hangs heavily over the proceedings.

  • Rex Reed, New York Observer

    A grueling and pointless endurance test

  • J. Hoberman, Village Voice

    It has a comical sense of history and seems perfectly aware that it is recounting a myth.

Read all 20 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Manu G


    Dream big. Live the life. Great Movie! Simplistic and Enjoyable. This was a very real movie of a real rock band. I think Mark and Aniston did great acting roles. The story was immensely interesting and it had a terrific ending that was just right. Very nice cast! Chris Cole was born… More

  • Conner R


    It's actually a lot better than it gets credit for. It's one of Mark Wahlberg's best performances and a very captivating story from start to finish. It criticizes the hairbands of the 80s, but also show how many people they inspired and how much they meant. I love the… More

  • Jeff "


    As a diehard fan of heavy metal music, I for one saw this film, and definitely loved it. loosely based on Rob Halford leaving Judas Priest and being replaced by Tim"ripper" Owens, a fan of the band and singer for a Priest tribute band. Rockstar should appeal to metalheads… More

  • Lenny M


    Mark Wahlberg, a Rock Star, Marky Mark? Good Vibrations meets Heavy Metal? He is a good enough actor to pull this off, kind of using a Dirk Diggler-esque persona as the lead singer. I enjoy this movie every time I watch it but it's not exceptionally amazing, just fun .

  • Cassie H


    Not as good as I expected but it was fairly decent.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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