🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Dax Shepard
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance, Crime
- Release year: 2012
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10 (102k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A guy in witness protection risks everything to drive his girlfriend to a job interview, leading to car chases, awkward conversations, and a whole lot of vehicular mayhem.
🍿 Hit and Run: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Small Town Life Interrupted
Charles Bronson (Dax Shepard), living under the Witness Protection Program in a small town, enjoys a quiet life with his girlfriend, Annie (Kristen Bell). However, Annie’s dream job opportunity in Los Angeles threatens their peaceful existence, as Charlie’s past is tied to the city he must avoid. Tom Arnold plays Randy, Charlie’s incompetent U.S. Marshal handler.

The Road Trip Begins
Despite the risks, Charlie decides to drive Annie to L.A. for her job interview. Their road trip takes a turn when Annie’s jealous ex-boyfriend, Gil (Michael Rosenbaum), discovers Charlie’s true identity and alerts Charlie’s former criminal associates, including the vengeful Alex Dimitri (Bradley Cooper). What follows is a series of increasingly chaotic events.

Chases and Revelations
The road trip devolves into a high-speed chase involving Charlie’s old gang, the persistent Gil, and the bumbling Randy. Along the way, Annie learns about Charlie’s criminal past, including his real name (Yul Perkins) and his previous engagement to Neve (Joy Bryant), creating tension in their relationship. The chases become increasingly absurd and destructive.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Yul Perrkins a.k.a. Charles Bronson (Dax Shepard): A former getaway driver in the Witness Protection Program who risks everything to help his girlfriend get to Los Angeles.
- Annie Bean (Kristen Bell): A community college professor who’s offered a dream job in Los Angeles, prompting a chaotic road trip with her boyfriend.
- Alex Dmitri (Bradley Cooper): A vengeful ex-partner of Charles, sporting dreadlocks, who chases after him for revenge.
- Randy Anderson (Tom Arnold): The bumbling U.S. Marshal tasked with protecting Charles, who’s prone to accidents and mishaps.
- Gil Rathbinn (Michael Rosenbaum): Annie’s jealous ex-boyfriend who instigates the chase by revealing Charles’s true identity.
- Debby Kreeger (Kristin Chenoweth): Annie’s supportive but potty-mouthed boss who encourages her to pursue the job opportunity in Los Angeles.
- Clint Perrkins (Beau Bridges): Charles’s estranged father, who is disappointed in his son’s criminal past.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Yul Perrkins a.k.a. Charles Bronson: “Take three deep breaths. This is the only moment you need to be worried about. There’s no yesterday. There’s no tomorrow. There’s just right now. You’re not late for anything, and you’re going to miss anything. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be… and you’re exactly who you’re supposed to be. You’re absolutely perfect. And whatever happens today is exactly what’s supposed to happen… and if you want, I’ll spend every moment with you for the rest of your life.” – Said to Annie at the beginning of the movie to comfort her about her job interview; it becomes a recurring theme of reassurance.
- Alex Dmitri: “I got butt fucked. I got fucked in the butt. I got fucked in prison! Yeah!” – Alex angrily reveals the horrors he faced in prison to Charlie, explaining the depth of his anger.
- Charlie Bronson: “Nitrous is for fags. This has cubic inches.” – Charlie responds dismissively to a man asking about his car’s engine, showcasing his character’s blend of machismo and occasional insensitivity.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $2,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $13,749,300
- Worldwide Gross: $16,816,647
💥 Hit and Run Reviews
Personal Review
I really enjoyed Hit and Run! It was a fun, lighthearted movie with some cool cars and a lot of laughs. The car chases were exciting, and I loved seeing Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell together on screen. The scenes with Tom Arnold were hilarious. It’s not high art, but it is a great movie to watch and enjoy, definitely a feel-good movie.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of action comedies”
- “Viewers who enjoy car chase movies”
- “Fans of Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell”
- “People who appreciate quirky and offbeat humor”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Violence”
- “Some crude humor”
- “Brief nudity”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “Hit and Run delivers a mixed bag of action and comedy, relying heavily on car chases and quirky characters, Shepard and Bell’s chemistry is palpable, elevating the overall viewing experience.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “While the car stunts and chases deliver some excitement, the comedy often falls flat, Shepard’s writing lacks finesse, resulting in a tonal imbalance that prevents the film from fully realizing its potential.
Audience Reactions
Viewers found the car chases exciting and the stunts well-executed, contributing to an adrenaline-pumping experience.: The combination of action and comedy appealed to many, making it an enjoyable and entertaining ride.
Many praised the chemistry between Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, feeling it added authenticity and charm to the film.: Tom Arnold’s performance as the bumbling federal marshal was frequently cited as a highlight, bringing humor to the film.
Overall Consensus: Hit and Run is a fun, action-comedy that delivers on its promises with exciting car chases and great chemistry between the leads, despite some flaws in the script.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Dax Shepard wrote, co-directed, and starred in the film, and many of the cars used in the movie are actually from his personal collection.”
- “To keep costs down, Dax Shepard cast many of his friends in supporting roles, who worked for significantly reduced rates.”
- “The budget for ‘Hit and Run’ was approximately $2 million, a relatively small amount for a film featuring car chases and recognizable actors.”
🖥️ How to Watch Hit and Run?
Hit and Run is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD and Blu-ray) are also available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Hit and Run, you might like these similar films:
- Smokey and the Bandit (1977): Features extensive car chases with a focus on outsmarting law enforcement, sharing a similar lighthearted and comedic tone.
- Baby Driver (2017): Another action movie that features a getaway driver with musical elements.
- True Romance (1993): Shares the ‘couple on the run’ theme with quirky characters and violent situations, although ‘True Romance’ has a darker, more intense tone.
🛒 Hit and Run Related Products
- Hit and Run [Blu-ray]: Own the action-packed comedy on Blu-ray and enjoy stunning visuals and immersive audio quality for the ultimate viewing experience. Perfect for collectors and fans.
- 1967 Lincoln Continental Model Car: Own a detailed replica of Charlie’s iconic 1967 Lincoln Continental, the ultimate collectible for car enthusiasts and fans of the movie. A stunning display piece.
- Dax Shepard Signed Movie Poster: A limited-edition poster signed by Dax Shepard, the writer, co-director, and star of Hit and Run. A unique piece for collectors and fans.
- Hit and Run T-Shirt: Show your love for Hit and Run with this exclusive movie-themed t-shirt. Comfortable, stylish, and perfect for fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
Hit and Run features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, Hit and Run is a fictional story written and co-directed by Dax Shepard. While it incorporates elements of action and crime, the plot and characters are entirely products of creative writing.
Hit and Run was primarily filmed in California, with key locations including Los Angeles and Marine Corps Air Station Tustin. The film’s setting is meant to depict the transition from small-town California to the urban landscape of Los Angeles.
The prominently featured car in Hit and Run is a modified 1967 Lincoln Continental, owned by Dax Shepard himself. The car, with its powerful engine and ‘suicide doors’, becomes a key element of the film’s action sequences and is a passion project of the main character.
🔥 Bonus Content
A massive HORNET nest hit and run! #hornets #hornetnest #wasps #yellowjackets #insects #bees
Okay, so it’s not *exactly* movie related, but the title totally fits, and you HAVE to see this crazy hornet nest takedown. Seriously, the sheer volume of hornets is mind-blowing! You’ll never look at the phrase ‘hit and run’ the same way!
BB Ki Vines- | Hit and Run |
Looking for a laugh after that intense movie? This short film uses the ‘hit and run’ theme in a completely different way. Give it a watch and tell me it’s not hilarious!
KTLA live shot on hit-and-run interrupted by car wreck
Want to see something absolutely wild? A news report *about* a hit-and-run gets interrupted by *another* one happening live on camera. Honestly, you won’t believe this actually happened!
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