Hot Rod (2007 film)
Hot Rod is a 2007 American comedy film directed by Akiva Schaffer in his feature debut. The movie stars Andy Samberg as Rod Kimble, a lovestruck, accident‑prone amateur who dreams of becoming a famous stuntman. His stepfather, Frank (Ian McShane), constantly mocks him, which fuels Rod’s desire to prove himself.
When Frank becomes ill and needs a heart operation that the family can’t afford, Rod tries to raise money with one huge stunt: jumping over 15 school buses on his moped and bike. He gathers his quirky team—his half‑brother Kevin (Kevin Corrigan), friends Rico and Dave, and Denise, his neighbor and love interest—and starts planning. To drum up support, Rod and Kevin make a backyard training video, which becomes popular online and helps him attract attention from a local radio host who offers to cover the costs.
Rod’s journey isn’t smooth. A failed training montage and a disastrous movie screening threaten to ruin his dream and his plan to gain Frank’s respect. He learns a painful truth: his biological father wasn’t the stuntman he thought him to be. After apologizing to Kevin, Rod gets another chance when the fundraiser grows online and on the radio. On stunt day, Rod gets a new suit, heavy pyrotechnics, and Denise by his side. He attempts the jump, but the bike crashes through a stage. He has an out‑of‑body moment, but when he wakes up, the donations have climbed to more than $50,000. Six months later, Rod earns Frank’s respect in a sparring match.
Hot Rod was written by Pam Brady, originally for Will Ferrell, but was rewritten and produced by The Lonely Island members (Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer) with Lorne Michaels. It was filmed in Vancouver in 2006. Trevor Rabin composed the score, and the soundtrack features songs by Europe.
The film opened in theaters on August 3, 2007, with a $25 million budget and grossed about $14 million. It received mixed reviews from critics and, while not a hit at the box office, has since gained a cult following for its offbeat humor and heartfelt moments. DVD and HD DVD releases followed in November 2007, with Blu-ray released in December 2008.
Cast highlights include Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Jorma Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Sissy Spacek, and Ian McShane. The movie is known for its playful, goofy humor and its memorable scenes, including the “punchdance” moment and the film’s quirky, sincere tone.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:21 (CET).