When I first started reading reviews for Charli XCX’s The Moment, there were a lot of things that intrigued me. The “Boom Clap” singer is one of the biggest artists in the world, for one, and I assumed that with A24 involved, the project would be as unique as Charli herself. However, a “365 party girl” I am not — I’m definitely not bumpin’ that — so I skipped it when it initially hit the 2026 movie calendar. When The Moment became available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, I had to check it out, and man, it was so much more than I expected.

What Was I Expecting From The Moment?

From the previews, I thought The Moment looked like a lightly exaggerated story of Charli XCX fighting the corporate greed machines that wanted to stomp all over her creativity. I expected a moody artist, mopily rolling her eyes at executives who didn’t “get” it and just wanted her brat summer to be a perpetual paycheck.

I suppose there was some of that, but moody and mopey aren’t Charli’s style. Her plight was actually both respectable and relatable, as she tried to execute a vision that stayed true to herself and served her fans — and she wanted to do it without completely burning out.

I Didn’t Expect The Moment To Be So Funny

The humor was something I really didn’t expect, and I’m not sure why, especially with a cast that includes Jamie Demetriou, Kate Berlant and Rachel Sennott, not to mention Alexander Skarsgård, who is unhinged as the concert film’s director. Sure, there was some biting commentary — there’s no way those Eras Tour vibes were by accident — but it was often so subtle that I found myself laughing out loud while wondering if there’d even been a joke.

It felt

As a Millennial who grew up watching Spice World, there was a lot of that but plenty of This Is Spinal Tap, too. That giant lighter prop that Skarsgård’s Johannes wanted to put Charli XCX in and then light on fire seemed destined for a Christopher Guest-esque mishap, and Charli’s timing was brilliant after seeing her dummy stand-in crash to the stage while flying over it:

Some of the funniest jokes were just thrown away (that’s not an insult), with a character muttering something in the background, never winking to the camera in a way that reminded me of Best in Show.

The Moment Doesn’t Take Itself Too Seriously But Also Shows Incredible Heart

In addition to the comedy, I didn’t expect Charli XCX to go on such an insightful journey about what the moment was and what she wanted to gain from it. She got particularly vulnerable in the final scenes of the movie, when she admitted she didn’t want brat summer to end, saying:

I’m really glad I decided to watch The Moment, even after reading reviews that told me if I wasn’t a loyal Charli XCX fan, I probably wouldn’t get it. I think I very much did get it, and I loved the humor and the satire and vulnerability of it all.

The Moment is available to stream on HBO Max now.

There are plenty of HBO shows that got the world talking, and another title that's joined those ranks is Rachel Sennott's I Love LA. The new comedy just wrapped its first season on the network (and streaming with a HBO Max subscription), and while some folks figure out how to watch I Love LA, I really need to talk about that Season 1 finale.

I Love LA is a raunchy series focused on being in the entertainment industry in the titular city, and continues the trend of A+ HBO comedies like Girls and Entourage. The short episodes were super binge-able, so much so that I tore through the entire season in one weekend. Overall I loved it, but the finale left something to be desired for me personally.

I Love LA Is Great, But I Hate The Finale Cliffhangers

I Love LA got attention as soon as it premiered, thanks to its hilarious blow job scenes and actor Jordan Firstman's (squashed) beef with Heated Rivalry. The show is full of non-stop laughs, many of which come from the cringeworthy social climbing of its cast. And the show's drama, specifically about Maia's career and personal life, reached a boiling point in the eighth and final episode of Season 1.

In the finale, Maia, Tallulah, and Alani travel from LA to New York in order to make a splash at Antoine's party. Rachel Sennott's protagonist goes on the trip as her relationship with Josh Hutcherson's Dylan is on a break, and she once again fails to make him feel valued... especially by nearly cheating on him with her ex-boss, Ben, in her hotel room.

While they fail to actually have sex, she's offered an insanely lucrative job that would be a game changer... especially since she was recently fired by her boss, Alyssa (Leighton Meester). It's actually Dylan that ends up cheating on her, finally getting the attention and affection he'd been craving. But the repercussions of this infidelity are never seen; Maia doesn't even learn about it before the Season 1 finale wraps.

Additionally, we don't find out whether or not Maia ends up taking Ben's job offer... despite his insistence that they would work (and eventually have sex) together well. The Season 1 finale ends with Maia and Tallulah on the subway en route to Antoine's party, we never see them at the event, or learn how they were received.

This triple cliffhanger is the reason why I was ultimately left bummed out by the I Love LA finale. While our answers will come whenever it returns for its sophomore season on HBO, I wish that we got a bit more closure about these plot lines that captured my attention and got me binge-watching the entire season in one sitting over the holidays. All that being said, I really loved the show overall, and will actively be watching Season 2 whenever it premieres.

I Love LA is currently streaming in its entirety over on HBO Max. It's unclear when Season 2 will arrive, but there are plenty of fans hoping production starts soon and it manages to come back with the 2026 TV schedule. Fingers crossed.

By and large, the implementation of intimacy coordinators on movie and TV sets has been a net positive for the industry, even if some actors are critical about their effect on performances. That BTS position is basically a built-in necessity for just about any new TV show hitting HBO’s schedule, and the Rachel Sennott-created comedy I Love LA proves it’s no exception with its very first “sex during an earthquake” scene between Sennott and on-screen boyfriend played by Josh Hutcherson.

As an outspoken and shameless creative, Sennott takes no issue with her own on-screen nudity, and she imbues her character Maia with a lot of the same tendencies, which can lead to interesting conversations with I Love LA’s intimacy coordinator, even if the convos may not be entirely different each time. The Bottoms writer and star appeared on the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and addressed how her on-set job is largely split between producer/showrunner duties and acting duties, which is where the intimacy conversations get questionable.

Addressing a particular day of shooting involving multiple sex scenes and at least one emotional breakdown for her character, Sennott said:

As she and O'Brien's crew discussed, that first sex scene was meant to signify that Maia and Dylan have been in their relationship long enough that she felt comfortable asking him to hold off on seeking safety during a natural disaster because she was so close to orgasm. Not something one does on a first date, at least hopefully.

In any case, the point is that Sennott purposefully peppered the show with overtly alluring and salacious moments, which the intimacy coordinator made a point to talk to her about. As Sennott put it:

Hilariously enough, despite the crew member stuck to her professional guns and handled the situation as she would any other, despite the fact that she and Sennott had already discussed all the necessary precautions and other concerns. To the point where Sennott says she was even asked if she actually wanted to go through with filming an oral sex scene, among others. As the actress put it:

To be sure, props to the intimacy coordinator for making damned sure everything that went on during I Love LA was completely above board and agreed to by all involved, even if it resulted in some redundant conversations. Michelle Williams shared that working with one actually taught her how to give better oral sex, so that's worth having the same talk twice, I'd think. At least for somebody.

I Love LA airs Sunday nights on HBO (and via HBO Max subscription) at 10:30 p.m. ET.

You know what they say, “everything old is new again,” and if there is any area of life where that always seems to be the case, it is with fashion. While new movies can dip into the past, and there are shows on the 2025 TV schedule that also take place in long-gone eras, sometimes a celeb will step out in a ‘fit that appears to be a complete throwback. Such is the case with Rachel Sennott, who just channeled ‘90s Jennifer Aniston in a teeny, Picture Perfect-esque green minidress.

What Did Rachel Sennott Just Wear That’s Reminiscent Of Jennifer Aniston’s Picture Perfect Dress?

Rachel Sennott has really expanded her profile over the past five years, since she burst onto the scene in Shiva Baby, having since starred in things like the horror film Bodies Bodies Bodies and starring in/writing the teen sex comedy, Bottoms. Now she’s making the rounds to promote her new HBO comedy series, I Love LA, which is already being compared to modern classics like Insecure and Girls.

The Saturday Night star recently stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and definitely showed up and showed out by paying tribute to a classic look from the 1997 Jennifer Aniston comedy, Picture Perfect, and donning an adorably sexy little green minidress. Observe:

WOW. Not only does Sennott look amazing, but her dress is nearly identical to the one the Friends star wore in a big scene of her ‘90s rom-com. Seeing as how the film is kinda sorta a deep cut, even for lovers of some of the best romantic comedies of all time, here’s something to help jog your memory:

SEE?! Honestly, I would not be surprised to find out that this is actually the exact same dress that Aniston wore in the movie, would you? OK, I’m going to admit now to going down an extensive internet rabbit hole trying to figure out what dress she had on in the movie, as well as more info about Sennott’s mini.

After way too long, I was successful with the details of Aniston's dress. An LA Times article notes that it was made by costume designer Jane Robinson from fabric she got for "less than $30." Meanwhile, even though the dress is very memorable to those who’ve seen the film, it doesn’t quite seem to have made it to the list of iconic outfits from ‘90s movies, and, of course, seeing as how Aniston didn’t wear it on her mega-hit NBC comedy, it also can’t be counted among one of the most iconic outfits on Friends, so there doesn't seem to be info on Sennott's extremely close look.

Luckily, however, that doesn’t really matter, because the look is still absolute fire, right? Plus, ‘90s fashion is quite trendy now, and has been for a while. Recent years have seen Bella Hadid channel ‘90s-era Gisele Bündchen, Brie Larson bare her abs in an ensemble inspired by ‘90s supermodel Claudia Schiffer, and Zendaya sport a 1991 Polo Ralph Lauren dress that Cindy Crawford helped make famous back in the day.

Basically, celebrity fashion is coming up ‘90s right now, and we should all get in on the trend while we can!

When Dan Levy made Schitt’s Creek, he absolutely added a series to the list of the most rewatchable TV shows ever. So, I’m always curious what the actor/filmmaker has cooked up next. And, as it turns out, the clever talent is currently filming a new TV show for Netflix that absolutely seems to share some DNA with Schitt’s Creek. Let’s get into it.

A New Dan Levy Comedy Just Started Filming

The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Dan Levy is currently in New Jersey filming a new comedy series for Netflix called Big Mistakes, and I’m so here for it. Levy created the series alongside another very funny and talented name in comedy these days, Rachel Sennott, and Levy also serves as its showrunner. The series will star Dan Levy alongside Taylor Ortega, Jack Innanen, Boran Kuzum and Abby Quinn, who are serving as series regulars, as well as Elizabeth Perkins, Jacob Gutierrez, Joe Barbara, Josh Fadem and Mark Ivanir, who have recurring roles.

The report made me aware of a TV deal Levy currently has with Netflix, which was made back in 2021, and led to Good Grief. But it’s the premise that really has me eyeing the next Dan Levy project.

Why It Has Me Hooked As A Schitt’s Creek Fan

The upcoming series, which I wouldn’t expect to be on the 2025 TV schedule, is centered around siblings who are described as “deeply incapable” as they are blackmailed into “the world of organized crime.” Of course, my mind went straight to Levy and Annie Murphy’s Schitt’s Creek characters, who one could describe similarly.

While I don’t expect Big Mistakes to necessarily be like Schitt’s Creek exactly by any means, I do think Levy knows how to write hilarious sibling relationships and fish-out-of-water storylines, and this sounds like that, except this time the stakes sound much higher than a well-off family being forced to live in a small town. I imagine Levy and Ortega (who is playing the sister in the series) will have to be dodging literal bullets and trying to come out of things alive.

Since the end of Schitt’s Creek back in 2020, Levy has definitely been busy. He had a stint on Sex Education, along with writing/directing and starring in the Netflix movie, Good Grief. He also hosted the 76th Emmy Awards with his dad, Eugene Levy, last year and has had credits in movies like Haunted Mansion, Unfrosted, Smurfs and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

I’m definitely excited to see Dan Levy return to the TV comedy space, and it sounds like a premise that could lend itself to a following from Schitt’s Creek fans like myself, along with multiple seasons. I would imagine we can look forward to the show in 2026, but there’s no release date. For now, we know the show’s in the middle of production, and that incites a reaction that’s the opposite of “Ew, David!”

The only people who really know what it’s like to work behind the scenes on a powerhouse program like Saturday Night Live are the veterans who survived that particular “war.” There are so many stories about entertainment battle scars earned on SNL, with sketches behind cut as talented comedians work to find the best recurring characters or a bit that’s going to have legs as a viral sensation. Currently, Jason Reitman has a movie in theaters that tries to capture the magic that goes into bringing Saturday Night Live to life each week. And Rachel Sennott, co-star of Saturday Night, shares some insight of what it was like to be backstage on SNL during the creation of a legendary sketch. Here’s what she told us.

While interviewing the Saturday Night cast about their time working on the movie, I asked Sennott – who has experience as both a writer and a performer – which role she’d like to do on SNL for a full season. Sennott wrote the 2023 comedy Bottoms, in which she also starred, but is also known for appearing in Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (a vastly underappreciated horror movie), and 2020’s Shiva Baby. I wondered if she’d prefer to write or perform on SNL, and her answer involved one classic sketch from Ryan Gosling’s tenure on the show. Sennott told CinemaBlend:

As someone who sees both sides of the process, Rachel Sennott clearly prefers to work on the “kitchen” side of the equation, reveling in the process of HOW the sausage gets made, instead of delivering it to the hungry audience. Then again, when you are in the writers’ room for the development for something as bizarre and eye-catching as the Beavis and Butt-Head sketch on SNL, you probably catch a high off the creativity, and then chase that buzz for the rest of your career.

Ryan Gosling, somehow, was perfect to play a normal man who resembled Beavis on a Saturday Night Live sketch… one that went beyond a viral sensation and actually bled over into the actor’s promotion for The Fall Guy earlier this year. I think SNL co-star Heidi Gardner is still cracking up over the look of both Gosling and Mikey Day, who played a live-action Butt-Head.

Right now, Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night is entertaining audiences looking for laughs from an upcoming 2024 movie. As we drift into the Awards season, films tend to get more serious, so lighter fare is appreciated. And if you have seen Saturday Night already, then you have to read about this cool scene that Reitman stepped into. Or, skated into.

And if you want to hunt for more viral moments from SNL, keep watching the 50th season of the late-night institution. The next batch of hosts includes Michael Keaton (on October 19) and John Mulaney (November 2).

We’re fast approaching Saturday Night Live’s Season 50 premiere on the 2024 TV schedule, and I can’t think of a more appropriate time to take a look back at how it all started. In the upcoming biographical dramedy Saturday Night, Jason Reitman aims to recall the events (both raunchy and chaotic, it seems from the trailer) of the 90 minutes leading up to SNL’s first episode in 1975. The film premiered at Telluride Film Festival on August 31 ahead of its October 11 debut on the 2024 movie calendar, and critics have a lot to say about the actors portraying some of SNL’s most famous stars.

Jason Reitman has assembled an ensemble of his own to portray the OG Saturday Night Live cast and crew members, including Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase and so many more. Pete Hammond of Deadline credits that ensemble of more than 80 speaking roles with helping to create a film that isn't just a comedy, it’s a suspense thriller. In the critic’s words:

Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist gives the movie a B+, calling the writers’ choice to focus on just 90 minutes “ingenious.” The most impressive part may be that even though 50 years of history tells us how everything turned out, Jason Reitman et. al. create such significant tension over whether or not SNL will make it to air. None of it would be possible, though, Ellwood says, without the “stellar” casting. The critic writes:

Ryan McQuade of AwardsWatch also grades Saturday Night a B+, praising Jason Reitman’s smart direction and Gabriel LaBelle’s performance of Lorne Michaels, as LaBelle's shoulders hold the weight of the entire movie. McQuade notes the similarities between the film and an episode of Saturday Night Live, writing:

David Fear of Rolling Stone calls the film “part sloppy and overly reverent tribute, part hilarious 1970s gross-out romp,” writing:

Stephen Farber of THR, however, says that while Saturday Night is fresh with a strong concept, it ultimately disappoints in frustrating fashion. Farber writes:

The cast and direction is getting a lot of positive feedback coming out of Telluride, and it’s starting out with an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes (though only from 11 critics, so that will change). The film is set to hit theaters 49 years to the day of SNL’s first episode, so mark your calendars for October 11 if this sounds like one 90-minute chaos adventure you can’t miss.

The first rule of fight club might be “you don’t talk about fight club,” but the first rule about the movie Bottoms, a new comedy about a couple of teens who create a secret fist-fighting club of their own, is definitely “talk about Bottoms”. The hilarious moment above in particular will definitely give you something to chat about, as it sees Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri's characters (unsuccessfully) trying to flirt with cheerleaders. And it perfectly encapsulates the humor from one of the latest 2023 new movie releases. 

MGM, the studio behind the teen sex comedy, exclusively shared the funny moment from the teen flick with us, as the movie expanded to more theaters this weekend following its limited release a week ago. The 89-second snippet sets up what to expect from the Bottoms cast, particularly when it comes to Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott's characters. And oof, no wonder they went to the great lengths of starting a fight club… am I right? 

The scene takes place at a school carnival, where Rachel Sennott’s PJ strikes up a conversation with one of the popular girls at school, Brittany (Kaia Gerber), and things go hilariously wrong. PJ opens by saying how much she loves “all the holes” in Brittany’s pants before she quips back that PJ is emulating a “little Dutch boy” with her fit. Then PJ goes on to mispronounce her very common name before commenting how she thinks she has the ability to “eat food, digest it, let it marinate, poop it out.” You know, like most humans! 

Matters get really awkward and cringey, though, when PJ ropes in Ayo Edebiri’s Josie into flirting with Brittany's bestie and fellow cheerleader, Isabel (played by Havana Rose Liu). Josie is somehow even worse at flirting, as she starts hanging too much on Isabel’s small frame to the point of saying she’s going to send her to the hospital. In her words, “Uh, oh, call the doctor, skinny girl I see.” The pair of cheerleaders end up just up and walking away, because well... PJ and Josie are really not good at talking to girls they find attractive. All in all, it's hard not to chuckle at the hilarity of the scene, and it's a testament to comedic chops of the actresses involved.

Bottoms follows Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri’s PJ and Josie -- two lesbian besties who hope to lose their virginities to the aforementioned cheerleaders. Given they’ve got no game (and let’s be honest here, most of us didn’t in high school), they cook up a plan to start their very own “fight club” for female self-empowerment to lure them in. 

It's refreshing to see an LGBTQ+-centric comedy like this, and the movie has received ridiculously good reviews, notching a 95% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The (occasionally bloody) high school romp comes from the mind of both the film’s star Rachel Sennott and her co-writer, Emma Seligman, who also directed the film. It’s the pair’s second feature together after 2020’s Shiva Baby.

The writers previously shared that they were inspired to make this film after years of watching male-led sex comedies. They also shared their hopes of punching through teen tropes, especially when it comes to how teen girls are often portrayed. They wanted to show audiences that women can be “just as horny” as men, in a hilarious way, of course. The cheerleader pick-up clip featuring Sennott, Ayo Edebiri and their co-stars is just one prime example of that. And if you want to see how the who story plays out, you can check out Bottoms in theaters now!  Do yourself a favor and also look at other romantic and funny LGBTQ+ films.

The Bottoms cast boasts an impressive array of talent, and we're going to delve into their previous appearances that might ring a bell. 

R-rated comedy movies have always been a massive deal at the box office. From classics like The Hangover to some of the newest additions to the genre, like the raunchy Joy Ride or the Jennifer Lawrence-led No Hard Feelings, this genre has consistently drawn crowds. But today, we're shifting our focus to the hilarious Bottoms. 

Starring Ayo Edebiri, Rachel Sennott, and many more, it tells the story of two high school girls who start a female fight club to hook up with cheerleaders before graduating. This cast is full of young and established talent, so let's get into it. 

Ayo Edebiri 

First up on this list is Ayo Edebiri, one of the leads. Edebiri is a name that has steadily popped up on more people's radars over the last few years, whether it be because of movies or television. 

On TV, Edebiri is primarily known for her role in The Bear, where she plays Sydney, a part that has earned her several accolades, including a Primetime Emmy nomination. Besides that, she's also had a recurring role on Clone High, held a voice role on Big Mouth, was a part of the Black Mirror Season 6 cast, and had a recurring role on Abbott Elementary. She also worked as a writer on the fantastic Apple TV+ series Dickinson, and held a recurring role in the series.

Edebiri has also appeared in a few films now. She had voice roles in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. She also appeared in Theater Camp, As of Yet, The Sweet East, Hello, Goodbye, And Everything in Between, and more. Honestly, this is just the beginning of us seeing her. 

Rachel Sennott 

Next up is Rachel Sennott, another one of the leads. She mostly became known from her role in the A24 horror movie Bodies Bodies Bodies but has appeared in other films such as Tahara, Shiva Baby, and Susie Searches. 

Besides movies, she had a recurring role in The Idol cast and appeared in Call Your Mother and High Maintenance. 

Ruby Cruz 

Next up on our Bottoms cast list is Ruby Cruz. The young actress has not appeared in major motion pictures, only in several film shorts. This is her first major film role. 

However, Cruz has appeared in a few television shows. She was a part of the Disney+ series Willow (which was tragically canceled), appeared on the critically acclaimed Mare of Easttown, and guest starred on the series Castle Rock. 

Havana Rose Liu 

Havana Rose Liu is next on our list. Liu has guest-starred in two episodes of the college-based Netflix series The Chair, but other than that, her television experience has been limited so far.

Even so, Liu has appeared in three films before this: Mayday, The Sky is Everywhere, and No Exit. 

Kaia Gerber 

Moving on, we take a look at Kaia Gerber. Besides the R-rated comedy, Gerber has only appeared in Babylon thus far – which has been gaining much popularity online over the last few months, especially with star Margot Robbie's performance.

Gerber has appeared on television more than in films. She was a part of the American Horror Stories cast and was also in American Horror Story: Double Feature. Besides that, she also held a part in the TV film, Sister Cities. 

Nicholas Galitzine

Nicholas Galitzine is a name I'm sure many have been hearing about over the last couple of years. Galitzine has appeared in a fair share of movies. Prominently, he portrayed the prince in the Amazon adaptation of Cinderella, and in 2023, he co-starred in Red, White, and Royal Blue on Amazon Prime Video. 

Besides that, he appeared in films such like High Strung, The Craft: Legacy, Purple Hearts, Share, and Handsome Devil. The actor also held a part in the TV film, The Watcher in the Woods, and had a prominent role in Chambers. 

Miles Fowler

Moving on, we look at Miles Fowler from the Bottoms cast. So far, Fowler hasn't done any other film work, but he has appeared in guest and recurring roles in various TV shows. These include Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, The Resident, and Women of the Movement. 

Dagmara Domińczyk 

Next is Dagmara Domińczyk, who has much more experience in movies and TV than her younger co-stars here. The actress has gained popularity in the last few years for her role in Succession but has also appeared in TV shows such as We Own This City and more, mainly in guest appearances. 

Domińczyk has also been in many films, including Rock Star, The Count of Monte Cristo, Higher Ground, The Lost Daughter, Trust the Man, The Immigrant, The Assistant, and many more. 

Marshawn Lynch

Moving on, we look at Marshawn Lynch from the Bottoms cast, who didn't get his start as an actor – his career began in the NFL, where he spent most of his career playing for the Seattle Seahawks, but once he retired, he switched over to acting. 

Lynch appeared in the football-centered comedy film, 80 for Brady, and has guest starred on several shows such as Westworld, The League, Murderville, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. 

Punkie Johnson

Lastly, we'll talk about Punkie Johnson from the Bottoms cast. Johnson is primarily known for her repertory role on Saturday Night Live, where she plays various characters. Still, she's also appeared in several other shows such as A Black Lady Sketch Show, Love Life, Ghosts, Space Force, Corporate, and Take My Wife. 

With such a great cast, Bottoms is, no doubt, making audiences laugh everywhere. Hopefully, we'll begin to see more of these awesome cast members in movies and shows as time goes on. 

Among this weekend’s latest big-screen releases is Bottoms, a raunchy LGBTQ+ comedy about two teen girls who start a fight club to win the affections of (and get some action with) the hot cheerleaders at their school. It’s the hilarious brainchild of Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott, the filmmakers behind one of 2021’s most underrated movies, Shiva Baby. And they found inspiration by pushing back against common teen movie tropes that they felt were clearly “written by a man.” The talented pair have a lot to say and want the public to know that women are "just as horny as men."

Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott wrote the script together while collaborating on  Shiva Baby, which was their feature-film debut. That production was a much more tense movie about a college student’s cringey Jewish funeral service experience. This latest film allowed them to do something a bit wilder and funnier. When speaking to IndieWire about how Bottoms came about, Seligman that their first frames of references were "just the shitty guy sex comedies." Sennott then expanded upon their disillusionment with the genre in some regards:

The writers looked back on favorites like Edgar Wright’s 2010 genre-bending comedy, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (which is returning as an anime) along with other sex comedies starring male characters. They both noticed how teen boy characters were given free reign to be “horny,” whereas female characters took a backseat. Emma Seligman, who also directed Bottoms, continue to discuss the standard characterizations they wanted to steer clear of: 

Overall, both writers wanted to challenge the idea that teen girls aren’t as "horny" as their male counterparts in the raunchy (and bloody) comedy. The movie is led by Rachel Sennott, who also stole the show in last year’s A24 hilarious whodunnit Bodies Bodies Bodies and The Bear cast's standout, Ayo Edebiri, as PJ and Josie, respectively.

During the interview, Rachel Sennott added that queer characters in teen movies often come out and then go on to want to “do nothing about it” before going home and singing a song. The writer and actress shared that she wanted the queer-focused movie to find an inbetween where it wasn’t “so sad that it’s depressing” nor “cutesy.” She described her and Ayo Edebiri’s characters as not particularly “likeable” on purpose because they’re “just hormonal teenagers who hate themselves a little.” 

Bottoms has found overwhelming praise from critics since opening at the South by Southwest film festival back in March. In hindsight, one can probably say it was partially due to the freshness of the story. That can certainly be chalked up to the filmmakers' eagerness to explore the humor and humanity that comes with teenage girls' sexual desires. The movie is now playing in select theaters and will expand to more theaters next Friday, September 1. You can also stay up to date on other 2023 new movie releases as the fall film season rolls in.  

After what seems like years of headlines, revealing and expansive profiles about the ups and downs of the show’s production, and major on-set shakeups, HBO’s highly-anticipated The Idol has finally premiered. The new drama series tells a story of fame, excess, and identity with its saga about Lily-Rose Depp’s aspiring pop star and her complicated relationship with a self-help guru played by Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, who also co-created the new series.

So, if you watched the show as it debuted, or plan on catching it later with your Max subscription, there’s a good chance you’re wondering where you’ve seen The Idol cast before. Well, we’re about to break down all the major players in this much talked about new arrival. 

Lily-Rose Depp (Jocelyn)

Lily-Rose Depp sits atop The Idol cast as Jocelyn, an up-and-coming pop star whose rise in fame and popularity is at the center of the show’s complex narrative.

The daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, the young actress and model makes her TV debut with The Idol, though she has appeared in several high-profile film projects over the past few years. This includes roles in The Dancer, The King, Voyagers, and Silent Night. 

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye (Tedros)

Abel Tesfaye, better known by his stage name, The Weeknd, co-leads The Idol cast as Tedros, a self-help guru who acts more like a cult leader than anything else.

Outside of his successful music career, which has led to the “Blinding Lights” singer performing at the Super Bowl, Coachella, and some of the biggest stadiums around the world, Tesfay has also made several film and TV appearances. This most notably includes a brief yet unforgettable cameo in Uncut Gems. 

Troye Sivan (Xander)

Next up is Troye Sivan, who appears as Xander, Jocelyn’s creative director and confidante.

If you recently watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine, then you’ll most likely recognize Sivan from his portrayal of a young James Howlet, a.k.a., Logan, from the 2009 Marvel movie. Since then, the singer and actor has appeared in movies like Boy Erased and Three Months. He has also made small-screen appearances on shows like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and multiple others. 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph appears as Destiny, one of Jocelyn’s managers.

There are plenty of reasons why Randolph looks so familiar, and that’s because she’s appeared in movies like Dolemite Is My Name, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, The Lost City, and On the Come Up, to name a few. Her TV credits include turns on This Is Us, Empire, High Fidelity, People of Earth, Madagascar: A Little Wild, and most recently, Only Murders in the Building, in which she plays Detective Williams. 

Jennie Ruby Jane (Dyanne)

Jennie Ruby Jane stars as Dyanne, one of Jocelyn’s backup dancers who joins her on her rise to fame.

If you’re a fan of K-pop, you should be awfully familiar with Jane, as she is a member of the incredibly successful girl group Blackpink, in which she performs mononymously as Jennie. And, though she appeared on the 2018 Korean reality program Village Survival, the Eight, Jane is making her acting debut with her performance on The Idol. 

Suzanna Son (Chloe)

Suzanna Son shows up on The Idol as Chloe, one of Tedros’ many followers in the Los Angeles area.

Prior to joining The Idol cast, Son made a name for herself in the 2021 indie film, Red Rocket. 

Moses Sumney (Izaak)

Moses Sumney takes on the role of Izaak, another one of Tedros’ followers.

Like several other members of the show’s cast, The Idol is Sumney’s first acting gig. However, he’s had a rather successful music career the past decade, releasing multiple studio albums and making appearances with the likes of Tessa Thompson, Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, and Beck, to name a few. 

Jane Adams (Nikki)

Jane Adams portrays Nikki, an executive at Jocelyn’s record label.

One of the most established stars in the cast, Adams has made dozens of film and TV appearances throughout her career, including Happiness, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hung, Easy, and most recently, the Max original series, Hacks. Fans of You’ve Got Mail will also probably recognize Adams from her small part as Sydney Anne, the talk show host who flirts with Greg Kinnear’s character. 

Hank Azaria (Chaim)

Hank Azaria pops up as Chaim, another one of Jocelyn’s managers.

Probably best known for voicing countless iconic characters on The Simpsons, Azaria has also had a legendary career in a live-action capacity, as well. Over the years, he’s appeared in movies like Grosse Pointe Blank, The Birdcage, Heat, Mystery Men, Year One, and multiple others. His TV work is just as impressive with shows like Mad About You, Huff, Ray Donovan, Life & Beth, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel under his belt. 

Hari Nef (Talia)

Hari Nef plays Talia, a reporter covering Jocelyn’s story.

Prior to landing a role on the new HBO show, Nef made a name for herself on the Amazon original series, Transparent, which she followed up with roles on You, Camping, And Just Like That…, and most recently, Extrapolations. Nef is also set to appear in the upcoming Barbie movie. 

Rachel Sennott (Leia)

Next up is Rachel Sennott, who takes on the role of Leia, Jocelyn’s best friend and trusty assistant.

Since giving her breakout performance in the 2020 dramedy, Shiva Baby, Sennott has continued to rise through the ranks of young Hollywood. In recent years, she’s appeared in everything from movies like Bodies Bodies Bodies and shows like Call Your Mother, with more on the way.  

Dan Levy

Multi-Primetime Emmy Award winner Dan Levy also appears on the series. The son of Canadian comedy legend Eugene Levy is best known for his turn as David Rose on Schitt’s Creek, though he does have numerous other credits to his name. Movies like Happiest Season, Admission, and Stage Fright have all given Levy time to show his comedy chops. He’s also slated to be in the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie later this summer.

Eli Roth

Horror director Eli Roth also appears, in his latest in a long line of acting gigs. In addition to directing movies like Cabin Fever, Hostel, Knock Knock, and The Green Inferno, Roth has shown off his acting chops in everything from Inglorious Basterds to The House with a Clock in Its Walls.

Ramsey

Ramsey joins the long list of The Idol cast members making their acting debut on the new show, as all of her work prior to the series’ debut has been in the world of music. Her track “Love Surrounds You” appeared during the first season of Euphoria.

Mike Dean

And then there is record producer Mike Dean, who makes his acting debut on The Idol. Prior to joining the show’s expansive cast, he made a name for himself working on seminal hip hop albums like Kayne West’s The College Dropout, Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne. He’s also worked on Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, and countless others.

Well, that about wraps up the major players in The Idol cast. New episodes air Sunday nights on HBO and streaming on Max. If you want to know about the other great shows coming out in the next few months, check out our 2023 TV schedule.

Stream The Idol on Max.

Amandla Stenberg, Lee Pace, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Myha'la Herrold and Chase Sui Wonders talk A24’s “Bodies Bodies Bodies.” They discuss the film’s smart dialogue, uniquely “psycho” characters, it’s jaw dropping ending (spoiler-free) and more.

Video Chapters:

00:00 - Intro
00:31 - How Difficult It Is To Shoot Party Movies Set At Night
01:36 - Rachel Sennott Talks Alice’s Controversial Podcast 
02:30 - Did The Cast Try To Mislead Us Through The Mystery With Their Performances?
04:46 - Maria Bakalova Talks The Film’s Comedic Use Of Modern Language And Technology 
06:16 - The Cast Talks The Satisfaction Of Reading The Ending For The First Time