A satire of victimization and violence that feels both current and nostalgic
In short: Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott faced constant rejections for their film Bottoms, with some studios refusing to even hear the pitch. They were told the overtly sexual, lesbian premise was too offensive, and even local high schools refused to host the production. Yet, the film became a critical darling.
Directed by Emma Seligman and co-written with Rachel Sennott, Bottoms is a satirical black comedy that follows two unpopular high school seniors, PJ and Josie. In a football-obsessed town, the pair creates a 'feminist self-defense club' as a cover for their true goal: hooking up with popular cheerleaders. The film explores this dynamic through a lens of 'campy queer high school comedy,' drawing stylistic inspiration from classics like Grease, Heathers, and Bring It On. The narrative escalates into chaotic territory as the club members begin engaging in actual physical brawls, bonding through shared violence while navigating the complexities of adolescent identity.
The production faced significant hurdles due to the film's 'alienating' nature. Seligman and Sennott were frequently denied the opportunity to pitch the concept to executives, and several companies declined to feature products in the movie because of its 'offensive' content. When they finally secured a deal with Orion Pictures, they struggled to find filming locations in New Orleans; many high schools refused to participate, forcing the production to utilize an abandoned elementary school and a college gymnasium. Even the script underwent revisions, notably removing scenes involving a 'militaristic boot camp' for 'horny girls' after they received poor feedback during test screenings.
Despite the production struggles, the film achieved significant commercial and critical success. Following its March 2023 South by Southwest debut, the film launched with a restricted rollout, securing the top per-screen mean for ten-plus venues since Everything Everywhere All at Once. Critics praised it as a 'satire of victimization' and a 'high school comedy classic.' The film also featured a notable casting choice: legendary football player Marshawn Lynch. Lynch accepted the role to 'correct his wrongs' after his sister came out as a lesbian when he was sixteen, providing a layer of personal representation to the film's exploration of queer themes.
The film's reception highlights a divide in critical opinion; while some lauded its 'defiant' humor, others noted it could have been a deeper exploration of the 'gray areas of queerness.' Regardless, it has been cited by several prominent filmmakers as one of the best films of 2023. The score, composed by Charli XCX and Leo Birenberg, further anchors its unique identity as a propulsive, over-the-top piece of contemporary cinema.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bottoms (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Bottoms · CC0
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