Hot Seat

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2:19

Hot Seat

R

2022

1h 44m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

16%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

15%

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.

Leslie Felperin

Guardian

08/02/2022

2/5

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...

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

07/06/2022

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

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Meredith Jill Brown

Upcoming Horror Movies

Mar 4

8/10

Hot Seat presents an engaging race against time, highlighted by a commendable performance from Kevin Dillon.

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Emiliano Basile

EscribiendoCine

08/19/2024

4/10

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]

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Terry Staunton

Radio Times

05/20/2024

2/5

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.

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Archika Khurana

The Times of India

11/11/2022

3/5

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.

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Sue

07/03/2022

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

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Richard

07/02/2022

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

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SRM916

07/01/2022

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

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Joey P

@RT39685009 03/13/2025

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. 🤦🏽‍♂️

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David P

@RT36844278 02/21/2025

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.

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Looner L

@RT59026037 02/19/2025

Could be one of the worst movies ever made

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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