Movie review
August 25, 2023 · 91 min · R
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Bottoms is a 2023 satirical black comedy about two unpopular lesbian high school seniors who start a girls’ self-defense fight club as a scheme to seduce their cheerleader crushes and lose their virginity. The plot spirals into chaotic violence tied to the school’s football rivalry. Queer lesbian identity, crushes, and sexual pursuits are central and highly visible drivers of the story and character arcs. Comedic girl power beats and mockery of dumb jocks and toxic masculinity recur throughout.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Bottoms.
Woke representation / casting
Strong visible emphasis on queer lesbian representation through casting and premise.
Woke political dialogue
Light satirical dialogue mocking male incompetence and gender dynamics.
Identity-driven story themes
Lesbian identity, crushes, and queer sexual goals are the dominant story engine.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Comedic undermining of toxic masculinity and high school patriarchy via girl power fight club.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
Production
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Fringe social media and Reddit complaints about woke propaganda and anti-male messaging; no major backlash.
Creator track record context
Director and co-writer pattern of queer-centric work plus producer Alana Mayo’s inclusive mandate.
