Mr. Right (2015)

Last updated:
August 13, 2025

Mr. Right is a quirky romantic action-comedy directed by Paco Cabezas and written by Max Landis. It blends screwball romance with assassin action tropes, delivering something equally absurd and surprisingly sweet.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Martha’s Meltdown

The movie begins with Martha McKay (Anna Kendrick), a fun yet emotionally volatile woman, discovering her boyfriend cheating on her. This emotional implosion sets her into a spiral of erratic behavior, binge-drinking, and questionable life choices.

Meeting the Mysterious Mr. Right

Martha’s life takes a sharp turn when she meets Francis Munch (Sam Rockwell), a charismatic, upbeat man who seems almost too good to be true. She’s drawn to his honesty and oddball charm—until she learns his secret: Francis is a professional hitman… who has recently developed a moral twist—he now kills the people who hire him instead of their intended targets.

The Quirky Courtship

Instead of running, Martha becomes fascinated with Francis’ moral code and unusual lifestyle. The two form a bizarre but genuine bond, filled with dancing gunfights, banter, and a mutual sense of chaos. However, trouble follows Francis: ex-employers, rival assassins, and law enforcement are all closing in.

The Antagonists Move In

Francis’s past catches up when Von Cartigan (Anson Mount), a gangster, and a rival assassin named Hopper (Tim Roth), who has a history with Francis, decide to take him out. The movie escalates into a series of over-the-top shootouts where Francis’ deadly skills are matched only by his cheerfulness.

Movie Ending

In the climax, Martha is kidnapped by Von’s men to lure Francis into a trap. Francis, naturally, dances into battle—literally—dispatching armed enemies with his signature flair. Martha, far from being a damsel in distress, proves she’s learned a thing or two from Francis, using her new skills to fight back.

Hopper, revealed as Francis’s old mentor, faces off with him in a final confrontation. Instead of a bitter, bloody fight, their duel ends in a mutual understanding; Hopper lets Francis walk away.

The final scenes show Francis and Martha continuing their oddball romance, now functioning as a deadly yet loving couple. They dance together down the street, implying they’ll keep living dangerously—together.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Mr. Right does not have a post-credits scene. The film ends on its final note of chaotic romance without any extra footage or teasers.

Type of Movie

Romantic Action-Comedy with dark humor, screwball pacing, and stylized violence.

Cast

Sam Rockwell as Francis Munch
Anna Kendrick as Martha McKay
Tim Roth as Hopper
Anson Mount as Von Cartigan
James Ransone as Johnny Moon
RZA as Shotgun Steve

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Aaron Zigman, who gives the movie an energetic and playful tone, mixing jazzy cues with upbeat action beats to match the film’s offbeat mood.

Filming Locations

Shot primarily in New Orleans, Louisiana, the vibrant city backdrop adds a lively, colorful atmosphere that complements the film’s playful chaos. Many scenes were filmed in local neighborhoods and historic districts, lending authenticity to the street-level action sequences.

Awards and Nominations

While Mr. Right didn’t receive major awards, it developed a small cult following for its unique blend of romance and absurd action.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The chemistry between Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell came naturally—they improvised many lines.
Rockwell’s dance-inspired fighting style was his idea, merging ballroom movements with martial arts choreography.
Anna Kendrick did many of her own stunts for comedic authenticity.
Director Paco Cabezas pushed for practical effects whenever possible, minimizing heavy CGI in fight scenes.

Inspirations and References

The film draws on screwball romantic comedies from the 1940s and mixes them with assassin tropes seen in movies like Grosse Pointe Blank and True Lies. The script also has Max Landis’s trademark meta-humor, often poking fun at genre clichés.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A deleted scene reportedly featured a longer final conversation between Francis and Hopper, diving deeper into their shared past, but it was cut for pacing. No alternate ending was filmed.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Mr. Right is an original screenplay, not adapted from a novel.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Francis revealing mid-date that he’s a hitman—and Martha laughing it off.
The grocery store fight scene where Francis dances between aisles while shooting.
Martha’s sudden, gleeful acceptance of Francis’s lifestyle after helping him in a fight.

Iconic Quotes

Francis: “If they’re paying me to kill someone, they must be bad, right? So… I kill them instead.”
Martha: “I think I might be crazy.”
Francis: “I think you might be amazing.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Francis’s constant dancing is a nod to Sam Rockwell’s real-life habit of dancing in almost every movie he’s in.
The film subtly references Grosse Pointe Blank in its “hitman with a conscience” premise.
Several background extras were local dancers from New Orleans, adding authenticity to the movement-based fight scenes.

Trivia

Sam Rockwell learned parts of the choreography from a professional ballroom instructor.
The screenplay was on the Hollywood Black List before being produced.
Anna Kendrick signed on after reading the script in one sitting, calling it “insanely fun.”

Why Watch?

If you want an unconventional romantic comedy where bullets fly as often as punchlines, Mr. Right offers a fast-paced, offbeat experience with genuine charm and absurd humor.

Mr. Right (2015)