Hit Me (1996)
A brooding neo-noir thriller about a hotel bellhop whose loyalty and longing pull him into a deadly criminal scheme.
Hit Me - Movie Information
- Original Title: Hit Me
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Steven Shainberg
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Runtime: 2h 5m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 9, 1996 (Canada), September 25, 1998 (United States)
- Production Countries: United States of America
Hit Me - Plot
A bellhop living with his mentally impaired brother becomes involved with an unbalanced woman and a scheme to steal guests' valuables.
Hit Me - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the film's dark, tension-filled atmosphere:
In this hotel, room service is deadly.
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Hit Me - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Steven Shainberg
Main Cast
- Elias Koteas
- Laure Marsac
- Jay Leggett
- Bruce Ramsay
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Philip Baker Hall
- J.C. Quinn
- Haing S. Ngor
- William H. Macy
- Jack Conley
Writers
- Denis Johnson
Producers
- Gregory Goodman
- Steven Shainberg
Hit Me - FAQs
What is Hit Me (1996) about?
Hit Me follows Sonny Rose, a mild-mannered hotel bellhop who cares for his mentally impaired brother. His quiet life unravels when he falls for a volatile woman named Monique and gets pulled into a dangerous plot to rob hotel guests. The film is a moody neo-noir adapted from Jim Thompson's novel A Swell-Looking Babe.
Is Hit Me based on a book or true story?
Hit Me is based on Jim Thompson's 1954 pulp noir novel A Swell-Looking Babe. Thompson was a celebrated crime fiction writer known for his dark, psychologically intense stories. The screenplay was adapted by Denis Johnson, himself a highly regarded American novelist and poet, lending the film a strong literary pedigree.
Who are the main actors in Hit Me?
The film stars Elias Koteas as the conflicted bellhop Sonny Rose and Laure Marsac as the dangerous Monique Roux. The supporting cast is stacked with talent, including William H. Macy, Philip Baker Hall, Kevin J. O'Connor, Haing S. Ngor, Bruce Ramsay, and J.C. Quinn.
Where can I watch Hit Me (1996)?
Streaming availability for Hit Me varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options across streaming services, rental platforms, and digital storefronts so you can find where it's currently available in your area.
Why did Hit Me take two years to reach US audiences?
Hit Me premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 1996 but didn't receive its US release until September 1998 — a gap of two full years. This kind of delayed distribution was not uncommon for smaller independent films in the 1990s that struggled to secure wide theatrical deals after festival runs.
Who directed Hit Me and what else have they made?
Hit Me was directed by Steven Shainberg, who also co-produced the film. He later became best known for the critically acclaimed Secretary (2002), starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader. That film earned significant awards attention and cemented Shainberg's reputation for psychologically complex, unconventional narratives.
How long is Hit Me (1996)?
Hit Me runs for 2 hours and 5 minutes — a notably substantial runtime for a noir thriller of its era and budget. The extended length gives the film room to develop its characters and build tension slowly, which fits the brooding, literary tone of Jim Thompson's source material.
What are some films similar to Hit Me?
If Hit Me's dark neo-noir atmosphere appeals to you, check out She's So Lovely (1997), The Doom Generation (1995), or The Weight of Water (2001) for similarly intense, character-driven stories. Gaslight (1944) and Dead of Night (1945) are classic picks for fans of psychological suspense with a vintage edge.
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