Long Shot
"Unlikely but not impossible."
Former child friends Fred Flarsky, a blunt but sharp journalist, runs into Charlotte Field, now a powerful political figure on track to run for president. When the moment calls for a polished public voice, Charlotte hires Fred to write her speeches. His candid tone clashes with the careful... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 21, 2026
About Long Shot
Former child friends Fred Flarsky, a blunt but sharp journalist, runs into Charlotte Field, now a powerful political figure on track to run for president. When the moment calls for a polished public voice, Charlotte hires Fred to write her speeches. His candid tone clashes with the careful tactics of her seasoned advisers, triggering friction and laughter. As the campaign heats up, the pair find themselves spending more time together, testing a growing attraction that sits uneasily alongside public scrutiny and party lines. The movie blends political satire with personal chemistry, delivering witty banter and heartfelt moments amid a high stakes race. Their chemistry challenges both sides to rethink loyalties during interviews.
Directed by Jonathan Levine, Long Shot pairs Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen in an original screenplay by Dan Sterling and Liz Hannah. Supporting turns come from O'Shea Jackson Jr, June Diane Raphael, and Ravi Patel. The film had a $40 million budget and premiered in 2019.
Theron and Rogen's chemistry sparked conversations about romance in the realm of politics, offering a playful counterpoint to traditional romantic comedies. The film helped blend Hollywood star power with political satire, yielding several quotable exchanges and a tone that influenced later flirtatious political setups. Its balance of humor and political glimpses resonated with audiences seeking light entertainment during a heated election season.
Critics generally welcomed the light ensemble and Theron's presence, praising the balance of sharp humor with genuine moments. The movie examines media spin, public image, and the tug between public service and private desire, showing how ambition strains personal loyalties under a constant media spotlight. The result is a breezy romantic satire with a political edge. The film stays breezy without losing its bite.
Box office: The film earned modest totals relative to its budget, with no highlighted numbers and a breezy political romance.
What Viewers Are Saying
Fans were pleasantly surprised by Seth Rogen in a rom com with Charlize Theron, and their odd couple banter sells the movie. The setup has Theron as US Secretary of State Charlotte Field trying to push climate policy while Rogen's Fred, her former flame turned speechwriter, stirs up both comfort and chaos in scenes at a fancy fundraiser and during prep for a big speech. Some viewers find the humor hits and the romance works, but others think the tone wobbles and the political bits feel half baked.
Details
- Release Date
- May 02, 2019
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 2,831 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- AG Studios +4 more
- Budget
- $40,000,000
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Charlize Theron
Charlotte Field
Seth Rogen
Fred Flarsky
O'Shea Jackson Jr.
Lance
June Diane Raphael
Maggie Millikin
Ravi Patel
Tom
Andy Serkis
Parker Wembley
Bob Odenkirk
President Chambers
Alexander Skarsgård
Prime Minister James Steward
Tristan D. Lalla
Agent M
Braxton Herda
Young Fred
Director: Jonathan Levine
Written by: Dan Sterling, Liz Hannah