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critics consensus

The Hero rests on Sam Elliott's understated performance, which proves more than capable of carrying the film through the less inspired moments of its somewhat clichéd story. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Lee Hayden is a Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy, until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his priorities into sharp focus. He soon strikes up an exciting, contentious relationship with stand-up comic Charlotte, and he attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter, Lucy, all while searching for one final role to cement his legacy.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Drug Use|Some Sexual Content)
  • Genre:
    drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Brett Haley
  • Producer:
    Houston King, Sam Bisbee, Erik Rommesmo
  • Writer:
    Brett Haley, Marc Basch
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $4.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Northern Lights Films, Houston King, Park Pictures

Cast & Crew

Sam Elliott
Lee Hayden
Laura Prepon
Charlotte Dylan
Nick Offerman
Jeremy Frost
Krysten Ritter
Lucy Hayden
Katharine Ross
Valarie Hayden
Ali Wong
Self
Cameron Esposito
Self
Doug Cox
Doctor
Max Gail
Gary Babcock
Jackie Joyner
Betsy
Brett Haley
Director
Brett Haley
Screenwriter
Marc Basch
Screenwriter
Houston King
Producer
Sam Bisbee
Producer
Erik Rommesmo
Producer
Jeff Schlossman
Executive Producer
Bill Wallwork
Executive Producer
David Bunce
Executive Producer
Jackie Kelman Bisbee
Executive Producer
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Critic Reviews for The Hero

All Critics (114) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (88) | Rotten (26)

View All Critic Reviews (114)

Audience Reviews for The Hero

  • Mar 13, 2018
    Sam Elliott stars in the indie character drama The Hero. The story follows a washed up actor named Lee Hayden who strikes up a romance with a younger woman and struggles to come to terms with his cancer diagnosis. Elliott gives a strong performance and is backed by a solid supporting cast, including Laura Prepon and Nick Offerman. However, the script is a little weak and leaves a lot of things open-ended and unresolved. And the directing is also rather underwhelming. While it has some compelling performances, The Hero is held back by its poor storytelling.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 17, 2017
    Sam Elliott gives the best acting in a movie so far this year. Very poignant and moving as his character moves gracefully into an unwanted retirement and has to face his mortality. (7-16--17)
    John C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 07, 2017
    Sam Elliott needs more leading roles. As an aging, undercast actor facing his own mortality, he is entrancing. Coincidentally, he plays that exact role in "The Hero". His character, Lee, is past his prime, and instead of playing his cowboy typecast, he's voicing BBQ sauce ads and struggling to find work. Upon his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he begins to reevaluate his future and his past by doing copious amounts of drugs and getting involved with a much younger woman played by Donna from "That 70s Show". If you've seen "Birdman" or "The Wrestler" you aren't going to be surprised by Elliott's rocky relationship with his estranged daughter or his brief stint going viral on social media, but the trailer left out that he smokes a lot of pot with Nick Offerman. The film hardly breaks new ground in terms of storytelling, but amidst the familiar plotting is some genuine sentimentality, humor, and a sense that these characters are real people. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for sad old man movies like "A Man Called Ove" and "I, Daniel Blake". This film isn't as good as either of those, but like Natalie Portman in "Jackie", Elliott has an outstanding performance in a film that wouldn't be justified without him. It winds down fairly slow by the third act and has a few too many ending fake outs, but altogether the film is a satisfying existential watch.
    K Nife C Super Reviewer
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