If only the film upheld the confronting emotions and entertaining recklessness so shocking early in the film with an appropriately downturned ending, the result might not feel so inharmoniously optimistic upon reflection.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 7, 2023

At the very least I would totally say it's worth a matinee admission. Go and see it, and tell me what it is that I just don't get.

| Mar 24, 2021

Works as a solemn story about dealing with loss, tragedy, and disappointment, primarily because Gordon-Levitt's character bridges the gap between laughter and tears.

| Original Score: B+ | Jul 12, 2020

Joseph Gordon-Levitt absolutely steals the show as a pranky, rude, anarchical antichrist figure...

| Jun 10, 2020

I love the film, the character of Hesher, and the fascinating and entertaining yarn told by writer/director Spencer Susser. I feel that the script is a genius piece of writing.

| Apr 2, 2020

Surprising, entertaining, unconventional, irreverant, crass and at times very vulgar, Hesher is something, and someone, new and different that just explodes with life...and love.

| Nov 16, 2019

Gordon-Levitt never puts in a bad performance, and he carries this film as easily as he's done any other.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 8, 2019

Perhaps more interesting than outright entertaining, Hesher is something of an acquired taste.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 6, 2018

A quirky film that's served well by its great cast, but not enough to impress me that it had any depth.

| Original Score: C+ | Sep 27, 2017

An unlikeable main character and a weak narrative flow turn Hesher into a mediocre film.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 2, 2013

Fortunately, there's enough humor in all this to counteract the exploitation of weird logic and audacious coincidence.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jun 6, 2011

Susser cowrote the script, which relies on moments of profanity and impulsive violence to elicit terse little laughs and a melodramatic backstory to signal emotional resonance.

| Original Score: C+ | May 26, 2011

It is not clear that advising people on how to deal with grief over individual tragedy, one of the most popular themes in American independent films at the moment, including Hesher, is very helpful.

| May 26, 2011

Powered by a character at once original and representational, Hesher courses with a unique verve missing in many independent productions, hovering somewhere between outright success and 'interesting failure.'

| Original Score: C+ | May 22, 2011

Since [Gordon-Levitt's] one of the most energetic and inventive young actors in the business, you can't take your eyes off him. Unfortunately, the quality of the material makes you wish you could.

| Original Score: C+ | May 20, 2011

Headbangs straight into your heart.

| Original Score: 4/5 | May 20, 2011

While it arrives decorated with cooler hair and a louder soundtrack, it still sticks to the "Unusual Outsider Teaches Middle-Class People What It Means to Really Live" template.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | May 20, 2011

Gordon-Levitt ... gets to play the opposite of his usual put-upon nice-guy roles - and he runs with it, to the point of making Hesher downright scary a lot of the time. The rest of the cast keeps up with him, in their less flashy roles.

| May 17, 2011

... a promising concept gradually morphs into a predictable indie flick.

| Original Score: 4/10 | May 14, 2011

Joseph Gordon-Levitt must be especially glad for this film to see the light of day, because his performance is award-worthy, a complete inhabiting of as unique a personality as you'll encounter in film.

| Original Score: 8.5/10 | May 14, 2011