Is Hairbrained Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Hairbrained is likely a skip if you enjoy Comedy movies.
It features a runtime of 97 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Hairbrained Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2013, Hairbrained emerges as a significant entry in the Comedy, Fantasy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A fourteen-year-old genius gets rejected by Harvard and ends up at a much lower ranked school where he makes friends with a mature student. Unlike standard genre fare, Hairbrained attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hairbrained features a noteworthy lineup led by Brendan Fraser . Supported by the likes of Alex Wolff and Julia Garner , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Hairbrained (2013) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Hairbrained Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Hairbrained is a Comedy, Fantasy film that brings laughter through clever writing and comedic timing, offering both entertainment and social commentary. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Hairbrained Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Hairbrained attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hairbrained reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hairbrained?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Hairbrained
- Brendan Fraser – Leo Searly
- Alex Wolff – Eli Pettifog
- Julia Garner – Shauna
- Parker Posey – Sheila Pettifog
- Michael Oberholtzer – Laird
Top Highlights
Brendan FraserLeo Searly
Alex WolffEli Pettifog
Julia GarnerShauna
Parker PoseySheila Pettifog
Michael OberholtzerLaird
Greta LeeGertrude
Teddy BergmanAlan
Elisabeth HowerEve
Josefina ScaglioneCamilla
Austin PendletonDapper Man
Where to Watch Hairbrained Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Hairbrained is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.4/10, and global collection metrics, Hairbrained stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2013 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hairbrained movie hit or flop?
Hairbrained has received mixed reviews with a 5.4/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Hairbrained worth watching?
Hairbrained is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Comedy, Fantasy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Hairbrained online?
Hairbrained is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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How Hairbrained Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Hairbrained
Decent watch, probably won't watch again, and can't sincerely recommend. I like Brendan Fraser well enough and he nailed it in this support role, but Alex Wolff pretty much carries the movie, playing off of everyone else wonderfully. It is rare to have a collegiate coming of age story, but they managed to cover the idiosyncrasies of a young genius in a new world quite well. What really breaks me from the movie is the slew of crimes being committed against Eli as he is 13-14 years old. The other thing is that trivia isn't the most exciting thing, as exampled by the movie. They could have easily done an applied science competition that would have been a bit more compelling. While I don't regret watching this subtle, slice of life story, there just isn't much to say about it: just very little payoff.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
