The Film That Brought Matt Damon Back to the Spotlight & Saved His Career

Matt Damon faced a critical moment in his career in the 2010s. Once a regular box office draw, he began to wonder if audiences would still come for his action movies.

Speaking to The New York Times, Damon admitted he felt like he “was in real peril” and started worrying that Hollywood might be moving on without him.

With new actors constantly emerging, even established stars like Damon can feel at risk of losing their place in the industry.

Fortunately, the 2019 film Ford v Ferrari came along at just the right time. Damon starred alongside Christian Bale in the biographical sports drama directed by James Mangold, which tells the story of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles as they attempt to build a car capable of beating Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans race.

Damon played Shelby, while Bale took on the role of Miles. The film also featured Jon Bernthal, Caitríona Balfe, Tracy Letts, Josh Lucas, Noah Jupe, Remo Girone, and Ray McKinnon in supporting roles.

Ford v Ferrari was met with widespread acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 92% approval rating, while Metacritic lists it at 81 out of 100, signaling “universal acclaim.” Audiences responded positively as well, giving it an A+ on CinemaScore and an 87% overall positive score on PostTrak.

Critics praised the racing sequences, the story’s human drama, and the performances of Damon and Bale. Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle described it as “a tale of souls battling the soulless,” and Peter DeBruge of Variety highlighted the chemistry between the two leads, noting the film captures the personalities behind the sport. In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter even recognized it for having the best stunts of 2019.

Damon has said the success of Ford v Ferrari was crucial for his career. He admitted that if the film had not worked, it “would have been a big problem” for him. While Damon’s talent has never been in question, the film reinforced his ability to headline big, commercially successful projects and reminded Hollywood why he remains a sought-after star.

In my view, Ford v Ferrari not only revitalized Damon’s career but also showed that timing, choice of role, and the right story can make all the difference for an actor facing uncertainty. What do you think, was this really the movie that saved Matt Damon? Share your thoughts in the comments.