Emma Seligman’s raunchy, wet, and bloody sophomore film only further proves the talent she showcased in her debut film Shiva Baby. Seligman balances teen sex comedy with bloody revenge film and a fight club to create a truly original vision, and one of the freshest films of the decade so far.
Seligman spins raunchy expectations and explores the elasticity and absurdity of teenage horniness on film with blood and violence, poison and bombs, and a phenomenal Avril Lavigne needle drop. Seligman’s direction understands each genre and trope, and tangles them together in a film so clever and unique it fits into so many categories that it may call for its own descriptor entirely – Seligmanian, perhaps?
Rachel Sennott stars as PJ, who, along with her best friend Josie (Ayo Edibiri), decides to start a female fight club, masquerading it as an opportunity for female community building and self-defense in the face of the obnoxious football jocks currently ruling their school, when they really see it as an opportunity to hook up with their cheerleader crushes. Also showcased in Seligman’s debut feature Shiva Baby, and the popular 2022 slasher/mystery/college girl phenomenon Bodies Bodies Bodies, Sennott has mastered the art of late teen drudgery and angst. Her sharp comedic timing and hilarious dramatics bring the incredible nuances of PJ to life.
Sennott and Edibiri have fantastic chemistry, capturing every bite of awkward comedy and genuine emotional beat with perfection. Edibiri carries layers of adolescent awkwardness flawlessly, in every facial expression and one-liner. The comedic chops of both Sennott and Edibiri, as well as supporting actors such as Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, Nicholas Galitzine, and Marshawn Lynch impeccably deliver each line, providing diverse performances that fully showcase the comedic exploration in the screenplay, examining every edge of what the film can be, in funny quips as well as narrative elements.
Every technical and creative aspect of the film meshes together both unexpectedly and perfectly, from the poppy soundtrack to the trendy, teen classic-esque costume design. The concept of a lesbian fight club is incredibly fun and creative, and provides so much room for exploration, which Seligman absolutely takes advantage of. Her vision takes advantage of every comedic opportunity, no matter how strange, with literal explosions, dangers of pineapple juice, and needle drops that had me shaking with joy.
The screenplay, co-written by Seligman and Sennott, is unendingly funny, managing to balance a genuine depiction of Gen Z with the absurd comedy of the premise, and the magical, fantasy-like nature of setting a film in an American high school. Everything always goes haywire and often ends in figurative (and occasionally literal) flames. Seligman and Sennott delve into all the possibilities of fictional high school to represent teen queer desire and interpret social hierarchy. Though the sporty climax of the film makes the plot logistics feel a little flimsy, the core of the film is a phenomenal remix of the history and conventions of teen sex comedy. Bottoms is quite ridiculous, but in its fantasies and absurdity is where it is also extremely charming and lovely.
Bottoms could act as a time capsule for the early 2020s, with Charli XCX helming the soundtrack, Succession star Dagmara Domińczyk in a supporting role (as well up-and-coming comedy it girls Edebiri and Sennott), and quippy one-liners throughout. This is a period piece for our maximalist, colorful, exhilarating, exhausting, and joyous present. It is an ode to delusion, falsified fantasy, adolescent queer longing, and bright red fake blood; it’s unlike any other teenage drama, sex comedy, or fight club you’ve ever seen.
Bottoms
2023
dir. Emma Seligman
92 min.
Opens Friday, 9/1 @ Coolidge Corner Theatre
