Hail, Caesar!
Hail, Caesar! is a 2016 comedy mystery film by the Coen brothers. Set in 1951 Hollywood, it follows Eddie Mannix, a studio “fixer” at Capitol Pictures who works to keep stars out of trouble and protect the studio’s image. While the cast is filming the biblical epic Hail, Caesar! A Tale of the Christ, a major star, Baird Whitlock, is drugged and kidnapped. Mannix tries to solve the mystery and manage a ransom, all while juggling other studio problems, including a pregnant actress and a troubling shift in the industry.
The movie features an ensemble cast led by Josh Brolin as Mannix, with George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum. Michael Gambon serves as the narrator. The film was produced by Joel and Ethan Coen along with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, and distributed by Universal Pictures. It’s a love letter to old Hollywood, filled with period detail and affectionate parodies of 1950s cinema.
Production notes: the film had a budget of about $22 million and was mostly shot in Los Angeles between 2014 and 2015. Costume design by Mary Zophres created many era-appropriate outfits; Roger Deakins was the cinematographer, and Carter Burwell composed the score. The movie features memorable moments, including Channing Tatum’s tap-dance sequence and a stylish homage to classic film-making techniques.
Release and reception: Hail, Caesar! premiered on February 1, 2016 in Los Angeles and opened in U.S. theaters on February 5, 2016. It grossed about $63 million worldwide. Critics generally praised the humor, visual style, and the strong ensemble cast, though some found the tone uneven. The film earned nominations for production design at major awards and is viewed as a playful, nostalgic tribute to Hollywood’s golden age.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 14:23 (CET).