Hot Seat

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2:19

Hot Seat

R

Released Jul 1, 2022

1h 44m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

16%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Oscar-winner Mel Gibson brings this explosive cyber-thriller to life. The action begins as IT expert Friar (Kevin Dillon, Poseidon) finds a hair-trigger bomb strapped to his desk chair. An unseen hacker orders him to steal digital funds online--or have his daughter abducted. As a fearless bomb expert (Gibson) arrives on the scene, the hacker frames Friar as the bomber. The tension mounts as Friar races to clear his name and expose the real terrorist--without getting himself blown to smithereens.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

The script and direction by prolific low-budget film-maker James Cullen Bressack do spring a few mild surprises and minor twists to spice things up. That doesn’t quite make up for the tackiness elsewhere...

Rated: 2/5

Aug 2, 2022

Full Review

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

I don't think I bought a second of this.

Jul 6, 2022

Full Review

Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

While the situation is tense enough to be attention-grabbing, poor acting and a flawed shot design make the adrenaline quickly fade. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/10

Aug 19, 2024

Full Review

Terry Staunton

Radio Times

Gibson all but sleepwalks through an underwritten role that smacks of take-the-money-and-run tedium, in a film short on plot development or surprises.

Rated: 2/5

May 20, 2024

Full Review

Archika Khurana

The Times of India

Overall, the last half-hour of the film deserves special mention for its tension-building, as all of the plot threads are brought together with a few surprises. Just don't have too high of expectations and enjoy this Hot Seat.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 11, 2022

Full Review

Peter Canavese

Groucho Reviews

A ludicrous action fantasy full to bursting with lunkheaded macho banter and every cliche in the cat-and-mouse cyber-thriller handbook.

Rated: 1/4

Aug 18, 2022

Full Review

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Sue

Mel Gibson still has lots of charm, computer scenes were well done

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/22

Full Review

Richard

I liked the comfortable seats. The picture and sound was great. Snacks and beer were good

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/02/22

Full Review

SRM916

Very predictable, tries to be fast moving like SPEED but fails miserably, disappointed

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/01/22

Full Review

Joey P

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! It’s so bad that it almost wrapped around to being good lol. Bomb explodes, he looks right at the huge smoke bloom, seconds later… “Did you hear something? I think I heard a bomb go off…” I should’ve turned it off right after that lol. 🤦🏽‍♂️

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/13/25

Full Review

David P

The unbelievably fake CGI explosion at the beginning of the movie is the most exciting and best part of this movie. It is an utter total waste of time. Mel Gibson must’ve filmed this in a total of two days and plays an extraordinarily minor role. Poor acting and dialogue from everyone. Please don’t waste your time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/25

Full Review

Looner L

Could be one of the worst movies ever made

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

Full Review

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James Cullen Bressack

Director

Kevin Dillon

Orlando Friar

Mel Gibson

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Hot Seat: Trailer 1

2:19

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Synopsis

Oscar-winner Mel Gibson brings this explosive cyber-thriller to life. The action begins as IT expert Friar (Kevin Dillon, Poseidon) finds a hair-trigger bomb strapped to his desk chair. An unseen hacker orders him to steal digital funds online--or have his daughter abducted. As a fearless bomb expert (Gibson) arrives on the scene, the hacker frames Friar as the bomber. The tension mounts as Friar races to clear his name and expose the real terrorist--without getting himself blown to smithereens.

Director: James Cullen Bressack
Producer: Alastair Burlingham, Randall Emmett, George Furla, Gary Raskin, Ceasar Richbow, Mark Stewart, Chad A. Verdi, James Cullen Bressack
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: BondIt Media Capital, Verdi Productions, Buffalo 8 Productions, Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, Grindstone Studios
Rating: R (Some Violence|Language Throughout)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 1, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2022
Runtime: 1h 44m

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