Free Hugs

2011 0h 24m EN

😐

5.2

MID

★5.2TMDB · 5

ComedyDrama

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Free Hugs captures the "rock bottom" moment of post-breakup wallowing, when friends lose their patience, and the pitiless world moves on without you. We follow the hilariously bitter Billie as she attempts to find catharsis through comfort food (and wine), sawing her belongings in half and attacking a particularly meaningful local monument. Ultimately Billie must slam into the harsh reality of heartbreak before she can understand that sometimes the purest form of love is a free hug from a stranger.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Jaclyn Jonet
Billie
Sarah Burns
Sydney
Megalyn Echikunwoke
Megan
Aziz Ansari
Mike
Bryn Mooser
Waiter
Olivia Wilde
Head Hooper
Justin Long
Checkout Boy
Pollyanna Rose
Beautiful Blonde

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Olivia Wilde
Writers: Olivia Wilde
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 24-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 15 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Olivia Wilde, shot by Tobias Datum. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Nicole Simone. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Tiffany Burchard shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jaclyn Jonet and Sarah Burns and Megalyn Echikunwoke carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt2058614 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Olivia Wilde directs. Tobias Datum behind the camera. Nicole Simone scores. Tiffany Burchard cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 24-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 15 years ago.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Olivia Wilde, shot by Tobias Datum. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Nicole Simone. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Tiffany Burchard shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jaclyn Jonet and Sarah Burns and Megalyn Echikunwoke carry the top of the cast.
8IMDB entry: tt2058614 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
9Only 5 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.