‘Scrubs’ Finale’s ‘The Last Kiss’ Reunion Redeems Rachel Bilson & Zach Braff’s 45% RT Movie

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Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Scrubs revival, Episode 9, “My Celebration.”

The finale of the Scrubs revival, “My Celebration,” marks the first time Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson have shared the screen in twenty years. Their previous on-screen pairing was in a 2006 film that wasn’t very successful, though it has gained a following among fans of the actors. While that movie largely flopped, bringing Braff and Bilson together again offers a chance to finally make a successful project out of their previous collaboration.

I remember when The Last Kiss came out – it was a really interesting time for both Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson. Rachel was wrapping up her run on The O.C. and Zach was still hugely popular as JD on Scrubs. Back then, everyone was trying to make the jump from TV to movies, but honestly, this film didn’t quite give either of them the big break they deserved. It didn’t do well in theaters – even with a $20 million budget, it was considered a flop, and critics weren’t exactly raving about it. It’s funny though, because it actually ended up being how Rachel first joined the Scrubs world, which is a cool connection!

Why Rachel Bilson’s ‘Scrubs’ Character Helps Redeem ‘The Last Kiss’

In The Last Kiss, Zach Braff plays Michael, a man in his thirties who’s worried about making the wrong life choices when it comes to love. Even though he’s already in a relationship, he begins an affair with Kim, played by Rachel Bilson. While the movie touches on some thought-provoking ideas, Michael isn’t a particularly sympathetic character. Unfortunately, Rachel Bilson’s character doesn’t fare much better, as she’s the one Michael cheats with, despite his current girlfriend being blameless and deserving of better. The film’s message is unclear and somewhat muddled, and the ending suggests Michael faces few consequences for his actions, if viewers choose to interpret it that way.

As a longtime Scrubs fan, I was thrilled to see Rachel Bilson pop up in the revival as Charlie! It really felt like she and JD just clicked – she seemed totally available, and they had an instant connection. The episode ended with a hint that their fake wedding date could turn into something real if the show gets picked up for another season. And honestly, even though The Last Kiss storyline was a bit controversial, you could feel the chemistry between Bilson and Braff back in 2006, and it’s still there! What’s different this time is that both their characters are single, which feels deliberate. It’s a smart move, and I’m genuinely excited to see where their connection goes if the show continues.

Is ‘The Last Kiss’ Worth Watching?

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie The Last Kiss has a 45% rating from critics based on 132 reviews. Audiences give it a slightly higher score of 59%, based on over 50,000 ratings. While the movie has a decent level of recognition, it generally hasn’t received positive reviews. Some viewers appreciate that it tackles tough topics that people in their thirties often avoid discussing, but others feel it sends the wrong message and find the characters’ interactions frustrating.

The film The Last Kiss is based on a 2001 Italian movie with the same title. Interestingly, the original Italian film received a sequel in 2010 called Kiss Me Again, something the American remake doesn’t have.

I believe the ratings for The Last Kiss on Rotten Tomatoes are justified. It’s not a great film, and while it fits the quirky indie style of the 2000s, it now feels almost like a caricature of that era. The movie tries very hard to be deeply meaningful, and occasionally it succeeds, but it hasn’t really left a lasting impression on film or culture. If you watch it expecting a bit of nostalgia, you’ll likely enjoy it, but the best part is probably seeing Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson together again after Scrubs.

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2026-04-19 01:28