Abstract: Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a globally destructive disease that severely threatens the safe production of rice, which is directly linked to food security and human livelihoods. This review systematically summarizes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying M. oryzae pathogenesis, with a focus on the regulatory mechanisms of appressorium formation, the morphological differentiation of invasive hyphae within host cells, and the core signaling pathways associated with virulence. Additionally, this review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in rice blast resistance research and discusses future directions that require further investigation. This review of the infection and defense mechanisms of rice blast at the molecular level can provide an important theoretical basis and innovative strategies for the breeding of blast-resistant rice varieties and the development of new, efficient fungicides, thereby reducing the damage of the disease to rice yield and quality, ensuring stable rice production and food security, and promoting the green and sustainable development of the rice industry.