Hot Air is a 2019 drama film directed by Frank Coraci and written by Will Reichel. The film stars Steve Coogan as Lionel Macomb, a conservative talk show host who is known for his provocative and controversial views. Lionel's life takes an unexpected turn when his 16-year-old niece Tess (Taylor Russell) comes to live with him after her mother, Lionel's estranged sister, goes to prison.
At first, Lionel struggles with Tess's presence, as he is used to living a solitary life and is not accustomed to taking care of someone else. However, as Tess begins to challenge his beliefs and push him outside of his comfort zone, Lionel starts to see the world in a different light.
The film explores themes of family, redemption, and the power of words. As Lionel begins to question whether his rhetoric is doing more harm than good, he must decide whether to continue down the path he has always known or to embrace a new way of thinking.
Hot Air also stars Neve Campbell as Lionel's producer, and Judith Light as his loyal fan. The film premiered at the 2019 Austin Film Festival and was released in theaters and on demand in August 2020.