Review: ‘Bottoms’ is an uproarious, sentimental sisterhood revenge fantasy

Outrageous LGBTQ comedy, starring Ayo Edebiri of “The Bear” and Oakland native Marshawn Lynch, has girls slugging each other, then bonding to take on the world.

Ayo Edebiri, left, Rachel Sennott, Zamani Wilder, Summer Joy Campbell, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber and Virginia Tucker in a scene from “Bottoms.”

Photo: Courtesy of Orion Pictures

We all know what the first rule of fight club is: You do not talk about fight club. But after watching this often uproarious, sometimes sentimental high school sisterhood revenge fantasy, it’ll be hard not to talk about “Bottoms.”

Emma Seligman’s film has had immense buzz since its world premiere at this year’s South by Southwest festival in March, and sold out its Castro Theatre screening duringFrameline 47in June. And it’s no wonder why.

在最初的几minutes of the movie, two high school girls start a fight club as an elaborate plot to score with cheerleaders and become antagonists to star football players who bizarrely wear their uniforms, complete with shoulder pads, to class.

Then there’s Oakland native and ex-NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, who is a hoot as the history teacher who signs on as the faculty sponsor of the club.

Oakland native and former NFL player Marshawn Lynch stars with Kaia Gerber, right, in the comedy "Bottoms." Photo: Patti Perret/Orion Pictures

Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”), who co-starred in the Comedy Central web series “Ayo and Rachel Are Single” and the networks’ stand-up showcase “Taking the Stage,” team up again as PJ and Josie, respectively, who have their eyes set on dreamy cheerleaders Isabel (Havana Rose Liu of“The Sky Is Everywhere”and Hulu’s “No Exit”) and Brittany (Kaia Gerber).

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3 stars“Bottoms”:Comedy. Starring Rachel Sennott, Ayo Edebiri, Havana Rose Liu, Kaia Gerber, Ruby Cruz, Nicholas Galitzine and Marshawn Lynch. (R. 92 minutes.) Starts Friday, Aug. 25, at Alamo Drafthouse New Mission Theater, 2550 Mission St., S.F.drafthouse.com/sf; AMC Kabuki, 1881 Post St., S.F.amctheatres.com.

Just one problem: Isabel is dating the football team’s quarterback, Jeff (Nicholas Galitzine of“红、白和皇家蓝”), a handsome but emptyKen-likevessel of vanity.

Nonetheless, PJ and Josie get the girls to come to the first fight club meeting, which also attracts a ragtag bunch of unpopular girls with issues — Hazel (Ruby Cruz of the Disney+ series“Willow”), a pyromaniac whose parents are going through a painful divorce; Sylvie (Summer Joy Campbell), who’s dealing with stepfather issues; and Annie (Zamani Wilder), who has experienced body shaming.

Rachel Sennott, left, Havana Rose Liu and Ayo Edebiri in a scene from “Bottoms.”

Photo: Courtesy of Orion Pictures

Sennott (“Bodies Bodies Bodies,”“Shiva Baby” and HBO’s “The Idol”) co-wrote the script with Seligman, and they create an alternate universe of high satire. Obviously, it’s silly for football players to wear their uniforms to class, and the film’s deconstruction of sexuality, patriarchal systems and femininity are addressed with outrageously over-the-top directness.

But let’s pause for a moment to give props to Lynch, the former Oakland Raider, who is hilarious as Mr. G., the teacher and club sponsor who — at times inappropriately — roots the girls on in their mission. After offering an opinion on female self-pleasure, Josie reminds him, “I don’t know if you’re supposed to be talking to us like that, like, as a teacher.”

Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott star in “Bottoms,” about two high school girls who start a fight club.

Photo: Courtesy of Orion Pictures/Patti Perret

Lynch’s big screen role follows formerGolden State Warriorspoint guardBaron Davis’cameo in“Joy Ride”earlier this summer — suddenly Bay Area pro athletes in raunchy female-centered comedies is a thing. Who’s next? Casting directors, have a look at eccentrically entertainingSan Francisco 49erstight endGeorge Kittle, or smoothly cool Warriors guardKlay Thompson. They’d thrive in this genre.

Back to “Bottoms.” Despite its outlandish conceits, it is grounded in sisterhood. As bloody as it is, the pain the girls dish out to each other is nothing compared to the trauma they’ve experienced.

Call it a bare-knuckled approach to empowerment. It brings them together in a way that makes you believe they can take on the world. Or at least homecoming.

Reach G. Allen Johnson:ajohnson@sfchronicle.com

  • G. Allen Johnson
    G. Allen Johnson

    G. Allen Johnson is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.