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Blow Dry

Blow Dry

An outrageous new comedy for anyone who's ever had hair.

200190 minRMidcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Director
Paddy Breathnach
Starring
Alan Rickman, Natasha Richardson, Rachel Griffiths, Rachael Leigh Cook

The annual British Hairdressing Championship comes to Keighley, a town where Phil and son Brian run a barbershop and Phil's ex-wife Shelly and her lover Sandra run a beauty salon.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Blow Dry?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Blow Dry to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Blow Dry?

Blow Dry earns 5 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Cast

Reception

Is Blow Dry worth watching?

Blow Dry's Midcredits score is the 49th percentile of all films, from 16K ratings across 6 sources. 52% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

49th percentile

Better received than 49% of films

56th percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)43rd
Approval (how many liked it)55th

60 /100

43rd percentile of all films

49th percentile among Comedy43rd percentile among 2000s

Critics 38 · Audience 62

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.5 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

52% liked it

55th percentile of all films

62nd percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2000s
52% rated it 7–1048% rated it 1–6

Critics 19% · Audience 55%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Reach

How many have seen it

83rd percentile

16K ratings across platforms

81st percentile among Comedy76th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 29% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$240K
Domestic gross$638K
Worldwide gross$830K

41st percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

A lightweight, formulaic feel-good comedy-drama about a hairdressing competition.

Fans praised

  • Strong ensemble cast led by Rickman and Richardson
  • Balances comedy with genuine emotional weight
  • Touching story of family reconciliation

Detractors panned

  • Atrocious Yorkshire accents from American leads
  • Formulaic and predictable plot
  • Desperate, unfunny melodrama

What stands out

ActingDivisive70

Veteran cast praised; Hartnett and Cook criticized for accents

Effects and spectacleDivisive65

Outrageous competition hairstyles as visual centerpiece

CharactersDivisive60

Quirky relationships and family dynamics but underwritten

Emotional impactDivisive60

Cancer subplot adds poignancy but feels manipulative to some

HumorDivisive55

Gentle, quirky laughs but not laugh-out-loud

DialogueDivisive55

Witty but often forced

Plot and storyDivisive45

Formulaic underdog contest story with health crisis subplot

OriginalityDivisive40

Derivative of other British crowd-pleasers

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 23 points higher than men.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 3 points apart

Watch experience

What is Blow Dry like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It has a few laughs and leaves you hopeful.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
BittersweetHopefulAbsurd
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film balances heartfelt family drama with gentle comedy, treating its characters with affection.
The rideThe film maintains a light yet emotionally charged tone, with the most weight in the competition's climax and family resolution.
StructureTold in a conventional chronological order with a setup, competition, and resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves viewers with a warm feeling of reconciliation despite the underlying sadness.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeA family torn apart by infidelity reunites for a hairdressing competition, driving a story of healing and reconciliation.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% (this title) · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsForgiveness · 1% of filmsAmbition · 7% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe story revolves around repairing broken family ties and finding forgiveness among estranged spouses and a parent and child.
StanceThe film affirms the value of family healing and personal redemption, treating the messy dynamics with warmth and gentle humor.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalSmall townRealistic
Orchestral modernPopSupportive music · hybrid · Patrick Doyle
Settinga small English town hosting a hairdressing championship in the year 2000
MusicScore by Patrick Doyle likely blends orchestral comedy cues with period-appropriate pop songs.

Content guide

Is Blow Dry okay for kids?

R

Blow Dry is rated R: “Rated R for some language and brief nudity” (MPAA). As of March 15, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (20/100), sexual content at mild (29/100), language at mild (25/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (13/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
  • Ireland15
  • Czechia12+
  • NetherlandsR
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (26 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Blow Dry have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Blow Dry?

Cast

Alan Rickman
as Phil
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Natasha Richardson
as Shelley
Rachel Griffiths
as Sandra
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Rachael Leigh Cook
as Christina
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Josh Hartnett
as Brian
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bill Nighy
as Ray
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Warren Clarke
as Tony
Rosemary Harris
as Daisy
Hugh Bonneville
as Louis
newcomer then · star now
Heidi Klum
as Jasmine
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Blow Dry?

Movies like Blow Dry include The Railway Children (1970), The Full Monty (1997) and The First Beautiful Thing (2010). Of the 10 closest matches, most are stories of healing, and most are stories about parents and children.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

3 of these 10 share its subject: forgiveness. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Blow Dry?

3.7K other films share the rarest tag below, premise: rivalry. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.