by Heath Lynch, Contributing Writer
During the pandemic, when we were starved for new movies, one of the real gems we got was a dark comedy called Shiva Baby. It’s a hilarious and risqué look at modern social and relationship dynamics. Arguably the biggest aspect of this film worthy of our attention was one Emma Seligman, who made her writing and directorial debut with the film, because it was the script and tone of the film that made Shiva Baby so noteworthy. So, naturally, it piques the interest to see what Seligman’s sophomore effort could turn out to be. Now, with Bottoms, we have the answer. It turned out to be awesome.
Our story here is actually fairly simple. Josie (Ayo Edebiri) and PJ (Rachel Sennott) are two rejects in high school who are too socially awkward for their own good. They can’t be one of the cool kids, they can’t blend in and not get bullied, and they certainly can’t hook up with the girls they’re crushing on. So they come up with the most obvious solution to their dating life problems — start a fight club made up of only women so they can trick the girls they’re in love with to have sex with them. Oh, also, there are football players who want to beat the hell out of them too, so you might as well learn to kick their asses as well. Yeah, a totally straightforward storyline…
But that absurdity is what makes it all so fun! If Seligman sold me on Shiva Baby, Bottoms only solidifies that I want to see everything that she makes for the rest of her career. Her ability to capture the experience and voice of Millennials and Gen Z is debatably unmatched by anyone else working in film today. Bottoms has such a distinct and unwavering perspective on how the world looks and operates that you can’t help but to be charmed by it. From the representation of the LGBTQ+ community, to the quotable lines of dialogue, to the way characters relate and empathize with one another, all the way to the distinct humor, Seligman and this movie have a vision, and it is all the more entertaining for it.
But it’s not just Seligman that makes this 92-minute romp such a blast. Edebiri and Sennott are absolute delights throughout it. Edebiri revels in her shy awkwardness. Her complete inability to form words, connect with people, and have a regular conversation is so endearing. This forms a breeding ground for relatable cringe humor that makes almost every second she’s on screen a treat. But it was Sennott who sent me over the edge. I was already a fan after her turns in Shiva Baby and Bodies Bodies Bodies, but I’m at the point now where I just want to see her in everything. Even when she’s playing a completely unlikable and despicable character like she is here, she’s still such a joy. Her brash verbal assaults, hilarious physicality, and intense vulgarity make for a side-splittingly good time. As far as I’m concerned, these are two acting talents at the top of their comedic game, and a directorial voice unlike any other working today. I hope to see them, along with Seligman, churn out creative and entertaining films like this for years to come.
With these three talents in tow, Bottoms takes advantage of its simple premise to deliver truckloads of laughs, some brilliant satire, and social commentary. The way it lampoons teen comedies, from Porky’s and Sixteen Candles, to American Pie and Superbad, and beyond, is impeccable. Seeing the standard ‘Let’s lose our virginity’ trope from this perspective is a riot. Additionally, I can’t get enough of this movie parodying Fight Club, a critique of toxic masculinity and extremist conspiracy theories, as well as domestic terrorist activities, that has been misunderstood by many for decades. Bottoms takes all of this subject matter and gives it a contemporary feminist layering that makes everything fresh and engaging. We get to see this in terms of women being horny and wanting to have satisfaction in the way that men are traditionally portrayed as wanting, all the way down to structures within a patriarchal society. It’s all here, and it’s great.
But as much as I want to relentlessly praise this movie, I acknowledge it will not be for everyone. Because while our leads are tremendous, the same cannot be said for our supporting performances. While I truly enjoyed Ruby Cruz’s awkwardness, Summer Joy Campbell’s angry screams, Nicholas Galitzine’s football player Jeff, and former NFL star Marshawn Lynch being a surprise delight, that’s about as far as I can go. Many of the other side characters are inconsequential to the story, or are just not engaging. I hate to say it, but our two love interests in Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber) are quite plain and dull, especially in comparison to what’s going on around them. Additionally, the movie starts in a world that’s like ours, but as it rolls along, it transforms into heightened reality, which makes it harder and harder to stay attached to what’s going on.
By the end, when we get to a climactic football game we’ve been building up to for the entire film, you have to just be willing to go along with a world in which one team just doesn’t show up to the game, nor do any of their fans, all while bombs are exploding and people are dying and limbs are being dismembered. A far stretch from where the movie starts. Transitions in tone, especially when going from thought-provoking themes about feminism, to gore-filled decapitation, can be more than a bit jarring to say the least.
Still, this flick is wild. It’s a pitch-perfect (see what I did there? ‘Cause it was produced by Elizabeth Banks? Who made Pitch Perfect? And it has a lot of the same vibes? Yeah, you get it…) satire of classic teen film tropes, while also being a great parody of Fight Club. Horny as… well, you know… bloody as hell, bursting with absurdist humor, and wielding a dope ass soundtrack, all while still providing contemporary commentary on feminism, Bottoms is a hilarious and entertaining thrill ride.
Rating: Loved It
Bottoms is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Heath Lynch, and follow him on Letterboxd