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Entertainment • Film

Rush (2013 film)

Rush is a 2013 biographical sports film directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Rush is a 2013 biographical sports film directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan. It dramatizes the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 Formula One season. The film stars Chris Hemsworth as Hunt and Daniel Brühl as Lauda.

Plot

The film follows the competitive and personal rivalry between Hunt and Lauda as they race through the 1976 Formula One season. Their contrasting personalities and approaches to racing drive the central conflict.

Cast

Chris Hemsworth portrays James Hunt and Daniel Brühl portrays Niki Lauda. Olivia Wilde is also credited among the principal cast.

Production

Rush was written by Peter Morgan and directed by Ron Howard. Available source material identifies it as a 2013 production centered on real Formula One events.

Release

The film was released in 2013, with listings showing theatrical release dates in September 2013 in several markets.

Key facts

  • The film centres on the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda in Formula One.
  • It is directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan.
  • Chris Hemsworth plays James Hunt, and Daniel Brühl plays Niki Lauda.
  • The story is based on the 1976 Formula One World Championship rivalry between the two drivers.
  • It is a biographical sports film rather than a fictional racing story.
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Canadian context

The film was distributed internationally and received coverage in Canadian film and entertainment contexts because Formula One has a Canadian audience and Canadian readers may know the sport through the Canadian Grand Prix.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rush about?
It is about the rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda during the 1976 season.
Who directed Rush?
Ron Howard directed the film.
Who wrote Rush?
Peter Morgan wrote the screenplay.
Who plays James Hunt and Niki Lauda?
Chris Hemsworth plays James Hunt, and Daniel Brühl plays Niki Lauda.
Is Rush based on a true story?
Yes. It dramatizes the real-life rivalry between Hunt and Lauda in Formula One.
When was Rush released?
It was released in 2013; source listings show September 2013 theatrical releases in multiple markets.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_(2013_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, and basic premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rush_2013
    Supports: Synopsis and central rivalry between Hunt and Lauda.
  3. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rush-2013
    Supports: True-story basis and Formula One rivalry.
  4. Movie Insider — https://www.movieinsider.com/m9292/rush
    Supports: 2013 release information and synopsis.
  5. AlloCiné — https://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=195370.html
    Supports: Release year, runtime listing, director, writer, and cast.
  6. Motorsports Hall of Fame — https://www.motorsportshalloffame.com/movie-review-rush/
    Supports: Film description as a 2013 sports film about Hunt and Lauda.