The Trainer is a 2024 American black comedy film, directed and produced by Tony Kaye, from a screenplay by Vito Schnabel and Jeff Solomon. It stars Schnabel, Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Beverly D'Angelo, Bella Thorne, Gina Gershon, Stephen Dorff, Lenny Kravitz, Paris Hilton and John McEnroe. The film's executive producers include Kevin Durant and Oliver Sarkozy.
The film had its world premiere at the 19th Rome Film Festival on October 20, 2024.
Contents
Premise
Jack Flex is struggling to make ends meet as a socially awkward aspiring fitness influencer when a shopping network expresses an interest in marketing a project he has created, the Heavy Hat. The plot follows Jack's increasing stress and anxiety as he attempts to secure endorsements from celebrities and his struggles to find a company to manufacture his Heavy Hats at scale.
Production
In March 2022, it was announced Vito Schnabel, Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, and Taylour Paige had joined the cast of the film, with Tony Kaye directing from a screenplay by Schnabel and Jeff Solomon. In April 2022, Stephen Dorff, John McEnroe, Gina Gershon, Luka Sabbat, Soo Joo Park, Brock O'Hurn, Bella Thorne, Laird Hamilton and Duke Nicholson joined the cast. In May 2022, Gus Van Sant, Lenny Kravitz, Beverly D'Angelo, Colleen Camp and Gavin Rossdale joined the cast. In June 2022, Paris Hilton, Finneas O'Connell, Gayle King, Sandra Seacat and Lauren Sánchez joined the cast.
Principal photography began in April 2022.
Release
It had its world premiere at the 19th Rome Film Festival on October 20, 2024. It also screened at Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2025.