This Underrated 2023 Comedy Deserved Way More Love

by

Creating good comedies, especially ones tailored for Generation Z, can be quite challenging. The recently released movie A Minecraft Movie, with its excessive use of meme humor, demonstrates the difficulties filmmakers face when trying to portray the humor of the younger generation. However, there’s a recent comedy that has successfully captured Gen-Z’s humor, only to be unfairly overlooked more than it deserved.

Under the guidance of director Emma Seligman, the 2023 film titled Bottoms delves into the lives of two young women who establish a clandestine fight club as a means to shed their virginity. The screenplay for this film is a collaborative effort between Seligman and one of the main characters, Rachel Sennott. This production effectively portrays the experiences of Gen-Z individuals in an authentic manner.

With its eccentric comedic scenes and cultural commentary, Bottoms encapsulates the humor prevalent among Gen-Z members. Although it may draw inspiration from 2000s comedies, the film possesses a unique tone that distinguishes it from other works in its genre.

Bottoms‘ Self Awareness and Bizarre Nature is Perfect for the Gen-Z Crowd

Content that resonates with Generation Z tends to resemble TikTok: it’s fast-moving, caters to short attention spans, and incorporates humor with a self-aware edge, occasionally dabbling in dark themes. The film “Bottoms” takes advantage of this concept, yielding impressive results. Its rapid-fire humor keeps audiences engaged, as it explores both grim and lighter shades of comedy, providing an unpredictable viewing experience. From jokes about blowing up a school to something as simple as a teenager asking for a snack from someone’s mom, “Bottoms” is a highly creative film that effectively connects with its intended audience by delivering humor tailored to their tastes.

The movie isn’t exclusively aimed at young audiences; instead, it endeavors to emulate classic teen comedy series like the American Pie, But I’m a Cheerleader, and Not Another Teen Movie. Its vibrant style and offbeat humor resonate with comedies of the 2000s, yet it maintains its unique voice. Characters such as an excessively flamboyant jock or a principal indifferent to their students serve as satire of the genre’s stereotypes while striving to innovate by incorporating contemporary slang.

The film, titled Bottoms, serves as a tribute to an era gone by in cinema, while simultaneously functioning as a biting critique of contemporary culture. It humorously skewers societal norms, particularly focusing on the portrayal of women, often reducing them to mere objects devoid of intellectual depth for male consumption. The character Jeff, brilliantly portrayed by Nicolas Galitzine, serves as the primary allegory for everyday sexism in today’s world. As the captain of his football team and de facto ruler of the school, Jeff’s inability to perceive women beyond possessions is so ludicrous and unjust that it borders on comical. In addition to serving as a comedic foil, Jeff also embodies the alarming extent of corruption and misogyny that can be found among those who wield power in our society.

Bottoms Created Many New Stars of This Generation

Edibiri and Sennott deliver outstanding performances as the leading characters, showcasing a compelling chemistry between them. Their ability to accurately portray Gen-Z high schoolers makes their performances both relatable and enjoyable. Despite their characters often making poor choices, their natural charm ensures that even the most challenging stages of character development remain endearing. Edibiri’s impressive performance in this role, along with her standout work in “The Bear,” positions her as an actress to watch closely for future projects.

The remaining cast is outstanding, featuring Havana Rose Liu and Kaia Gerber as the popular cheerleaders in a comically fitting manner. Ruby Cruz plays the character who seems the most ordinary and typical in the movie (though it’s hard to call it that), yet she manages to infuse her unique charm into making the role stand out. Marshawn Lynch impressively debuts with a remarkable performance in the film. Despite his character going through a divorce, he utilizes his emotional turmoil to create one of the funniest characters, delivering many of the movie’s best lines and performances.

In a surprising turn for a high school comedy, the film “Bottoms” is extraordinarily brutal. It employs elements from the “Fight Club” narrative and delivers an abundance of blood and shattered body parts. The blend of various genres results in an unforeseen journey, culminating in a third act so absurdly intense that it’s impossible not to be captivated. Initially presented as a cheesy high school comedy, the storyline evolves into a gripping action movie that undeniably leaves its mark on viewers.

Comedy can be tricky to pull off effectively, but “Bottoms” manages to stand out among the few successful attempts. Its innovative script that blends various genres and humor tailored for Generation Z audiences is a significant factor in its success. Featuring a talented group of new actors and maintaining a rapid tempo, this film is poised to become a timeless classic for the current generation, marking the beginning of an era for outstanding Gen-Z comedies.

Bottoms is available to watch on Prime Video.

https://comicbook.com/anime/news/anime-popularity-football-gen-z/embed/#

Read More

2025-08-10 18:59