Get Hard
Get Hard is a 2015 American buddy comedy film directed by Etan Cohen in his feature directorial debut, written by Cohen, Jay Martel, and Ian Roberts from a story by Martel and Roberts, and starring Will Ferrell as hedge fund manager James King and Kevin Hart as car wash owner Darnell Lewis.[1] The story follows King, who after being convicted of securities fraud and sentenced to ten years in San Quentin, mistakenly assumes Lewis has prison experience and hires him to provide 30 days of training to prepare for incarceration, leading to a series of comedic misadventures that expose their mutual misconceptions.[2] Produced by Gary Sanchez Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, the film was released theatrically in the United States on March 27, 2015.[1] With a production budget estimated between $40 million and $44 million, it achieved commercial viability by earning $90.4 million domestically and $21.4 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $111.8 million.[3] Critically, Get Hard fared poorly, aggregating a 28% approval rating from 184 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, where the consensus highlighted its failure to deliver meaningful satire amid crude stereotypes.[4] Audience reception proved more favorable, with an IMDb user rating of 6.0 out of 10 based on over 153,000 votes, indicating broader entertainment value despite the film's reliance on raunchy, boundary-pushing humor.[1] The movie drew significant backlash from reviewers for elements perceived as promoting racial insensitivity, such as a scene where Ferrell's character attempts to use the N-word under Hart's guidance, and homophobic tropes involving prison sexual violence and gay stereotypes, prompting accusations of racism and bigotry from outlets including IndieWire and The Guardian.[5][6] Ferrell and Hart countered these claims, asserting the intent was absurd comedy that satirized prejudices rather than endorsed them, with Hart emphasizing the film's basis in challenging assumptions about race and class.[7] Such criticisms reflect broader patterns in media discourse where comedic portrayals of taboo subjects often face disproportionate condemnation from ideologically aligned reviewers, contrasting with the project's box office performance driven by general audiences.[8]Synopsis and Cast
Plot
James King, a successful Los Angeles-based hedge fund manager, celebrates his impending marriage to the daughter of his wealthy investor, Peter Panay, but is arrested that night for defrauding clients of $42 million and sentenced to a 10-year term in San Quentin State Prison, with 30 days to prepare.[4][1] Terrified of prison violence, King hires Darnell Lewis, the entrepreneur who details cars in his office building's garage and whom King stereotypes as an ex-convict due to his race and family responsibilities, to train him in survival skills for $30,000—money Darnell intends to use for his daughter's education and family stability.[9][10] Unbeknownst to King, Darnell has no criminal record or prison experience, but he accepts the job out of financial necessity and enlists unorthodox methods, including self-defense lessons from a former gang enforcer, physical conditioning, and simulated street confrontations to desensitize King to threats.[9] Their partnership exposes King's privilege and prejudices while forcing Darnell to improvise amid escalating mishaps, such as botched heists and clashes with local criminals led by a figure named Alonzo.[4] As suspicions mount that Panay framed King to conceal his own financial improprieties, the duo uncovers evidence of the setup, leading to a high-stakes pursuit and confrontation that vindicates King, dissolves his engagement, and solidifies an unlikely friendship with Darnell, who secures his family's future.[10][9]Cast and Characters
Will Ferrell portrays James King, a multimillionaire hedge fund manager convicted of fraud and embezzlement, who hires an associate to toughen him for prison life.[1][4] Kevin Hart plays Darnell Lewis, a law-abiding car wash owner and family man with no criminal experience, whom James mistakenly believes to be an ex-convict and enlists for survival training.[1][4] Supporting characters include Craig T. Nelson as Martin, James's wealthy and influential father-in-law who suspects his innocence; Alison Brie as Alissa, James's fiancée entangled in the scandal; T.I. (Clifford Harris Jr.) as Russell, a ruthless gang leader; and Greg Germann as Peter Penny, a business rival involved in framing James.[11][12] Additional notable roles feature Edwina Findley as Rita, Darnell's wife; Ariana Neal as Makayla, Darnell's daughter; and Erick Chavarria as Cecilio, the family gardener.[11][13]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Will Ferrell | James King | Hedge fund manager preparing for prison. [1] |
| Kevin Hart | Darnell Lewis | Car wash owner aiding James's training. [1] |
| Craig T. Nelson | Martin | James's skeptical father-in-law. [1] |
| Alison Brie | Alissa | James's fiancée. [1] |
| T.I. | Russell | Antagonistic gang enforcer. [12] |
| Greg Germann | Peter Penny | Corrupt business associate. [12] |