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Bottoms is an instant classic joining the ranks of iconic high school comedies that will not only be quoted until the end of time, but forever rewatched and cherished. Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott’s sharp writing perfectly captures the culture of the moment. 

As audiences are treated (finally) to more high school comedies not focused on straight male characters, each new film is always likened to the ‘female Superbad’ or ‘gay Clueless,’ which can feel dismissive of the film itself. These films typically stand on their own, defining a new classic for young audiences and Bottoms certainly does. Emma Seligman’s second feature film captures the universal truth about being a teenager in the most heartfelt, horniest, and funniest way of the year. Co-writing the film alongside star Rachel Sennott, Seligman creates a classic film that demands rewatch after rewatch to truly unpack all the humor. 

Bottoms follows best friends PJ (Sennott) and Josie (Ayo Edebiri) as they begin their senior year of high school as not the most popular kids. PJ, the more assertive of the duo, has decided before they leave their high school career behind, they will finally make out with the hot cheerleaders they have crushes on. Josie questions PJ on how they’ll really make this happen given the cheerleaders barely seem to know they exist. PJ comes up with a plan that the two will lead an after-school fight club women’s empowerment club. In the club, the members will learn from one another on how to protect themselves in order to empower themselves. PJ and Josie team up with another outcast, Hazel (Ruby Cruz) and Mr. G (Marshawn Lynch), a teacher, to really take the club to the next level. 

At first PJ is devastated as the club is full of ‘girls that are barely sixes,’ but that quickly changes as a rumor about PJ and Josie spending the summer in juvi takes the school by storm. Following the buzz of their bad behavior, their crushes, Brittany (Kaia Gerber) and Isabel (Havana Rose Liu) join the club. Isabel is in a dramatic relationship with the hunky star quarterback, Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine). His obsessive second-in-command, Tim (Miles Fowler), is suspicious the club’s intentions from the very first time the cheerleaders join. 

No plot description or synopsis could truly unpack the world Seligman and Sennott have created. From perfect music cues (party 4 u by composer Charli XCX) to the ‘GET HORNY’ tagline for the football team, this high school comedy becomes a very unique version of a familiar story. Bottoms is truly so funny that it can be easy to miss jokes from laughing out loud, however, when the laughter takes a breather to allow audiences have a poignant bit with the best friends at the heart of the story, it really hits thanks to both Seligman’s superb direction and the brilliant chemistry between our leads. 

Bottoms could easily be overwhelming in the hands of any other director. Seligman has such tight control over not just the tone of the film but also manner in which the story allows each character to have a moment to shine. Each member of the cast is hysterical and perfectly cast, and each actor perfectly comes together for a genuine ensemble. The script has created characters that feel real and genuine. There’s something to be said about women writing new classic high school films that are truly authentic to the way we experienced high school. Bottoms is an instant classic joining the ranks of iconic high school comedies that will not only be quoted until the end of time, but forever rewatched and cherished.

Grade: A-

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Original Screenplay

Where to Watch: In Theaters