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Hickey (2017) movie poster

Spoiler-Free Summary

Hickey (2017) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 85 min · English
Directed by
Alex Grossman

Troy Doherty plays a lovable underdog who finds himself in a frantic race against time. He must pull off an extraordinary feat within 24 hours to save the struggling store where he works and, hopefully, win the girl he's been pining for. It's a comedic story about perseverance and taking a chance on what you want most.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What it is about
  3. 3 Is it worth watching?
  4. 4 After you watch
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Hickey (2017)

Where can you watch Hickey? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Hoopla, Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video Free: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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Spoiler-free summary · safe to read

What Is Hickey About? (No Spoilers)

The plot of Hickey (2017) without spoilers: what it is about, who it follows and where it takes place, told without the twists or the ending. Enough to decide whether it is your next watch, not enough to ruin it.

In a sun‑blushed town where the closing time of a modest retail shop feels like the ticking of a life‑changing clock, a young math‑whiz named Ryan Chess finds his world collapsing in a single day. By day he balances numbers with a shy charm, and by night he nurtures a secret crush on his vivacious co‑worker. The looming shutdown of the store and the imminent departure of the object of his affection create a frantic, high‑stakes backdrop that blends the urgency of a deadline with the whimsical chaos of late‑summer romance.

The atmosphere crackles with a light‑hearted, almost slap‑stick energy, as the everyday hustle of cash registers and aisle stocking is amplified into a comedic battlefield. Ryan is surrounded by a quirky crew: his loyal sidekick Jeremy, whose optimism fuels daring schemes; the sharp‑tongued yet supportive teammate Ellen; and the good‑natured colleague Gary, each adding a distinct flavor to the collective effort. Their camaraderie turns the looming crisis into a stage for inventive problem‑solving, underscored by witty banter and heartfelt moments.

Enter the polished but enigmatic regional manager Brady, whose arrival adds a layer of intrigue to the already tense situation. His confidence and polished demeanor hint at hidden motives, setting up a subtle clash of personalities that tests Ryan’s resolve. As the clock races toward midnight, the film balances the pressure of saving the store with the tender yearning of a first love, all while maintaining a breezy, comedic tone that celebrates perseverance and the risk of reaching for what truly matters.

Last updated: February 12, 2026 at 17:49

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What to expect

Is Hickey Worth Watching? What It Feels Like

Is it dark, sad, slow, intense or confusing? The mood of Hickey (2017) in a few tags, without a word about how it ends. Each tag opens a list of movies that feel the same.

After you watch

Seen Hickey? Now Read the Spoilers

Once you have watched Hickey (2017), come back for the full story: the plot summary with spoilers, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning.

Movie threads

More Movies Like Hickey, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Hickey tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Frantic Race Against Time Comedies like Hickey

Characters face a frantic, time-sensitive mission to achieve their most important goal. If you enjoyed the high-energy 24-hour scramble in Hickey, you'll love these other movies. This list features comedies and lighthearted stories where characters are in a frantic race against the clock to save the day, win the girl, or achieve a personal goal.

  • frantic
  • urgent
  • time pressure
  • high-energy
  • suspenseful
  • comedic
  • Tone: frantic, hopeful, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread unfold under the pressure of a strict deadline. The narrative is driven by a series of escalating obstacles and frantic attempts to overcome them, keeping the pace fast and the stakes feeling immediate and personal.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a core structure defined by a time-sensitive mission. They create a specific blend of comedy and tension, driven by fast pacing and a clear, urgent goal that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Charming Underdog Stories like Hickey

Endearing characters overcome self-doubt and obstacles to achieve an improbable win. Love rooting for the underdog? If you liked the charming and determined hero in Hickey, explore these movies about lovable characters proving their worth. Find similar coming-of-age tales and comedic stories of personal growth and unlikely success.

  • underdog
  • hopeful
  • uplifting
  • youthful
  • coming of age
  • personal growth
  • Tone: hopeful, uplifting, comedic
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a character who starts from a position of perceived inadequacy. Through a series of comedic and heartfelt events, they must overcome external challenges and internal insecurities to achieve a goal that validates their worth, often leading to both professional and romantic success.

Why they belong together: These movies are connected by their focus on the underdog arc. They share a hopeful tone and light emotional weight, blending comedy with themes of personal growth, friendship, and the triumph of perseverance, creating a consistently uplifting and satisfying experience.

Every angle

Hickey (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Hickey in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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