We don’t know about you, but we could watch gay teens beat the living hell out of high school bullies all day and not get tired of it. The provocatively titled Bottoms only runs 95 minutes, but we’ll take it.
How to watch Bottoms in New Zealand
Bottoms is streaming in New Zealand exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
What is Bottoms about?
High school losers, lesbians and virgins PJ and Josie hit on a plan to a) not get expelled and b) hopefully get laid by starting a women’s self defence club after they’re accused of assaulting a boorish jock (they did not, but he would have deserved it). Things quickly spiral out of control, though, and it becomes more of a Fight Club than anything else, even under the guidance of disinterested history teacher Mr G, who they’ve roped in for some credibility. It’s all make-ups, break-ups, unrequited love, and a stunning amount of bone-crunching violence. Think Heathers starring Jake LaMotta, or Booksmart with punching.
The cast of Bottoms
Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri are PJ and Josie, respectively, and that combo alone is worth your attention. Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is Mr G, making his first major role here (you may have spotted him in a couple episodes of Westworld, though). Ruby Cruz, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, Nicholas Galitzine, Miles Fowler, Dagmara Domińczyk, and Punkie Johnson are on support duties.
Bottoms trailer
What are the critics saying about Bottoms?
Bottoms is getting stellar notices from our critical friends, with the consensus being that this is a freshly-minted classic of the raunchy teen comedy subgenre that nails its representation remit without overegging the pudding. However, a counterpoint comes from local iconoclast Eliza Janssen, who noted in her review that “… Bottoms simply isn’t hilarious enough to get away with its weak structure and half-assed tonal choices.” Still, this one comes to us from director Emma Seligman, whose previous film, Shiva Baby (also with Sennott), absolutely ruled, so maybe go with the majority opinion on this one.
