Hot Rod
Performance & Direction: Hot Rod Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Hot Rod (2007) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hot Rod features a noteworthy lineup led by Andy Samberg . Supported by the likes of Jorma Taccone and Bill Hader , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Hot Rod
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2007, Hot Rod is a Comedy, Action film directed by Akiva Schaffer. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Andy Samberg.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. For Rod Kimble, performing stunts is a way of life, even though he is rather accident-prone. Poor Rod cannot even get any respect from his stepfather, Frank, who beats him up in weekly sparring matches. When Frank falls ill, Rod devises his most outrageous stunt yet to raise money for Frank's operation -- and then Rod will kick Frank's butt. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Andy Samberg's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Hot Rod
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Akiva Schaffer, Hot Rod concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Andy Samberg, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hot Rod reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hot Rod?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Andy Samberg or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Hot Rod
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $25.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $14.4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Hot Rod Budget
The estimated production budget for Hot Rod is $25.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Hot Rod
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Where to Watch Hot Rod Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoHot Rod Parents Guide & Age Rating
2007 AdvisoryWondering about Hot Rod age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Hot Rod is 88 minutes (1h 28m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Hot Rod is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2007 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hot Rod worth watching?
Hot Rod is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Hot Rod parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Hot Rod identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Hot Rod?
The total duration of Hot Rod is 88 minutes, which is approximately 1h 28m long.
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Critic Reviews for Hot Rod
It was funny in some parts, but everything else felt forced and over the top.
_**Andy Samberg plays an Evel Knieval wannabe in this fun flick**_ A brave-but-klutzy moped stuntman with a fake mustache (Andy Samberg) plans his most death-defying stunt, jumping 15 buses, to attain the money needed to save his stepfather with a weak heart (Ian McShane). Isla Fisher, Sissy Spacek, Bill Hader and Danny McBride costar. “Hot Rod” (2007) is quirky with goofy humor, but good-hearted. There’s thankfully no raunch to be found. Samberg is effective as the protagonist while Isla is always a winsome pleasure. There’s not much else to say except this stunt comedy fills the bill when you just wanna turn off your brain for some silly fun. The soundtrack is notable with several tracks by Europe, etc., including "You're the Voice" by John Farnham. The movie runs 1 hour, 28 minutes, and was shot in the general Vancouver area, British Columbia. GRADE: B-/B
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
