You know that feeling when you're scrolling through a streaming service and see a thumbnail with a face you definitely recognize, but you’ve never heard of the film? That’s basically the entire vibe of Hit by Lightning the movie. Released back in 2014, it features Jon Cryer right at the tail end of his Two and a Half Men mega-fame. You'd think a rom-com thriller starring Lex Luthor himself would have made a bigger splash, but it kind of just... drifted into the digital ether.
It’s a weird one. Honestly.
The plot follows Ricky (Cryer), a 40-something manager of a Denny’s-style restaurant who is, frankly, lonely as hell. He meets Danita (played by Stephanie Szostak) through an online dating site, and she’s perfect. She’s beautiful, she’s charming, and she’s totally into him. There’s just one tiny, murderous catch: she’s married to a famous, highly religious crime novelist, and she wants Ricky to kill him so they can be together.
Suddenly, a guy who worries about pancake syrup levels is contemplating homicide.
The Weird Alchemy of Hit by Lightning the Movie
Director Ricky Blitt, who did a lot of work on Family Guy, brought a very specific, neurotic energy to this script. If you’re a fan of that "awkward guy in way over his head" trope, it hits the spot. But for a lot of critics at the time, the tonal shifts were a bit much. It tries to be a sweet romance, a dark comedy, and a suspenseful noir all at once.
It’s jarring.
One minute you’re watching Ricky banter with his best friend Seth (played by Will Sasso), and the next, they're discussing the logistics of a "clean" kill. Sasso is actually the secret weapon here. His chemistry with Cryer feels authentic, like two guys who have spent way too many Tuesday nights eating cheap wings and complaining about their lives. Sasso brings that loud, physical comedy that balances Cryer’s more restrained, internal panic.
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Why didn't it blow up?
Timing is everything in Hollywood. In 2014, the mid-budget romantic comedy was already dying a slow death at the box office. Marvel was sucking the air out of the room. Unless you were a massive prestige drama or a $200 million explosion-fest, you were headed straight to VOD (Video on Demand).
The marketing for Hit by Lightning the movie was also a bit confused. Was it a thriller? The poster made it look like a standard rom-com. People walked in—or clicked play—expecting Hitch and got something closer to a low-budget Fargo Lite.
Also, let's talk about the title. Hit by Lightning is an idiom for falling in love instantly, but in a movie about potential murder, it sounds like a disaster film. It didn’t grab the "search intent" of 2014. It felt generic.
Breaking Down the Cast and Performance
Jon Cryer is an interesting actor because he’s so deeply tied to Alan Harper. It’s hard to see him without expecting a laugh track. In this film, he leans into that pathetic-but-likable persona, but adds a layer of genuine desperation. You actually believe he’d consider murder just to keep a woman like Danita interested.
- Stephanie Szostak: She’s great at playing the "is she or isn't she" femme fatale. You might remember her from Iron Man 3 or the show A Million Little Things. She has to play Danita with enough sincerity that we don't hate her immediately for suggesting a hit on her husband.
- Will Sasso: As mentioned, he’s the anchor. Without Seth, the movie would be too dark. He provides the "voice of the audience," constantly pointing out how insane the situation is.
- Jed Rees: He plays the husband, Scott. He’s a bit of a caricature of a "great man," but it works for the satirical elements of the plot.
The film was shot largely in Ottawa, Canada. You can tell. It has that clean, slightly quiet Canadian city look that often stands in for "Anytown, USA." It adds to the surreal, isolated feeling of Ricky’s life.
Is It Actually Good? (The E-E-A-T Perspective)
Look, if we’re being objective, the film holds a pretty low score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics called it "stale" and "sitcom-y." But critics often miss the point of "comfort viewing."
There is a subset of film fans who love these mid-2010s independent comedies. They aren't trying to change the world. They’re 90 minutes of mild entertainment. The dialogue is snappy—thanks to Blitt’s background in animation writing—and the stakes feel high because the characters are so ill-equipped to handle them.
The "thriller" aspect isn't going to win any awards for suspense. If you’re looking for Gone Girl, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want a movie where a guy tries to buy a murder weapon and looks like he’s about to faint, this is your jam.
Technical Limitations and Indie Vibes
You can see the budget constraints. The lighting is often flat. Some of the secondary characters feel like they wandered in from a local theater production. But there’s a charm to that. It feels human. It doesn't have that polished, AI-generated sheen that a lot of Netflix original comedies have today.
It’s a "small" movie.
One of the real triumphs of the film is how it handles the "religious" aspect of the husband. It’s not a hit-piece on faith, but rather a look at how people use—and misuse—belief systems to justify their behavior. It’s a bit more nuanced than you’d expect from a movie with a guy from Two and a Half Men.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
People often think this is a "cheating spouse" movie. It's not. It's a "loneliness" movie.
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Ricky isn't some player looking for a thrill. He’s a guy who has been ignored his whole life. When Danita looks at him, he feels seen for the first time. That’s the "lightning" the title refers to. The tragedy—and the comedy—comes from the fact that he’s willing to destroy his life for a moment of feeling special.
We’ve all been there, right? Maybe not "let’s commit a felony" there, but certainly "I’ll do something stupid because I’m lonely" there.
How to Watch Hit by Lightning Today
Because it was an independent release distributed by Chizwick and later picked up for various streaming rights, it bounces around. One month it’s on Prime Video, the next it’s on Tubi or Pluto TV.
If you want to track it down:
- Check the "Free with Ads" sections of major streamers. This is where 2010s indies go to live forever.
- Look for it under "Dark Comedy" rather than just "Romance."
- Don't pay $20 for a 4K rental. It wasn't shot in a way that requires 4K. Standard definition is honestly fine for the vibe.
Actionable Steps for Movie Buffs
If you're going to dive into Hit by Lightning the movie, here’s how to actually enjoy it without being disappointed:
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- Manage your expectations: This is a "Tuesday night movie." It’s what you watch when you’re tired and want something easy but slightly edgy.
- Watch for Will Sasso: Seriously, his performance is a masterclass in how to be the "funny best friend" without being annoying.
- Pay attention to the dialogue: Some of the one-liners are genuinely clever. It’s a writer’s movie.
- Compare it to Two and a Half Men: If you’re a fan of Cryer, it’s fun to see him play a character who is even more of a "loser" than Alan Harper, but with a much darker edge.
Ultimately, this film serves as a time capsule of a specific era of indie filmmaking. It’s a reminder that not every movie needs to be a cultural phenomenon to be worth a watch. Sometimes, a story about a guy, a girl, and a potential murder plot is just enough to get you through the evening.
To get the most out of your viewing, try pairing it with other "hidden" 2010s comedies like Cedar Rapids or The Overnighters. You’ll start to see a pattern of these low-stakes, high-anxiety films that captured the post-recession mood of the mid-aughts. Search for these titles on your favorite aggregator to build a "Forgotten Indie" weekend marathon.