Ass Backwards
Ass Backwards is a 2013 American black comedy buddy film written by and starring June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson as lifelong friends Kate and Chloe, who embark on a cross-country road trip from New York back to their hometown to compete in the children's beauty pageant they infamously lost as preteens.[1][2] Directed by Chris Nelson in his feature film debut, the movie chronicles their misadventures, including encounters with oddball characters and personal setbacks, as they chase childhood dreams of fame and validation in a satirical take on beauty pageants and female friendship.[3][4] The film draws loose inspiration from a real-life road trip Raphael and Wilson took after college graduation, which they have described as ill-fated and formative for their comedic partnership.[1] Supporting roles feature a notable ensemble including Vincent D'Onofrio as a quirky motel owner, Bob Odenkirk as a pageant organizer, Jon Cryer as Chloe's estranged father, and Alicia Silverstone as their successful childhood rival, adding layers of humor through exaggerated archetypes and family dynamics.[1][5] Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2013, Ass Backwards received mixed critical reception for its bold, unapologetic humor and the leads' chemistry, though some praised its energy while others critiqued its crassness and uneven pacing.[3][4] With a runtime of 85 minutes, it was released theatrically in the United States on November 8, 2013, by Entertainment One, and later became available on streaming platforms like Netflix.[1][2] The film's irreverent style highlights themes of ambition, insecurity, and the absurdities of American pop culture, cementing Raphael and Wilson's reputation as sharp comedic voices.[6]Synopsis and cast
Plot
Kate and Chloe are lifelong best friends who first met as children when they tied for last place in their hometown's Little Miss Hot Pepper beauty pageant, an event that has haunted them into adulthood.[7] Now in their late twenties and living together in a cramped New York City apartment, the pair cling to delusions of grandeur despite their precarious circumstances: Chloe works as a go-go dancer trapped in a glass booth at a seedy nightclub, while Kate peddles her eggs to strangers via Craigslist advertisements.[4][6] Facing eviction after maxing out their credit cards on a fabricated luxurious lifestyle, they receive an unexpected invitation to the pageant's anniversary celebration back in their Iowa hometown, prompting them to see it as a chance for redemption and to finally claim the crown that eluded them as kids.[4][8] Determined to prove themselves, Kate and Chloe set off on a cross-country road trip in a dilapidated van, but their journey quickly devolves into a series of escalating mishaps fueled by poor planning and their unshakeable optimism.[1] Armed with a malfunctioning GPS that sends them in the wrong direction, they navigate a gauntlet of bizarre encounters, including a run-in with a roadside bunny that ends in accidental tragedy, an impromptu participation in a raucous spring break strip contest where Chloe's dancing skills are put to humiliating use, and a detour to a women's separatist commune run by a no-nonsense leader, who challenges their codependent dynamic.[4][9] Along the way, they cross paths with a washed-up reality TV star (Brian Geraghty) battling addiction, who briefly joins their chaotic adventure, and get entangled in a talent show audition at a dive bar that exposes their lack of actual skills but amplifies their comedic desperation.[9] These roadside escapades, marked by moments like belting out tunes to a skipping CD player and a shared, ill-advised attempt at public urination as a symbol of their unfiltered bond, force personal revelations about their stalled lives and the fragility of their friendship, though their self-delusion often turns potential growth into further farce.[9][6] As they finally arrive in their hometown, the duo reunites with estranged family members, including Chloe's judgmental mother and Kate's distant relatives, whose lukewarm receptions underscore the years of avoidance and unfulfilled promises.[4] The anniversary pageant becomes the climax, where Kate and Chloe, now adults competing alongside much younger contestants, deliver a disastrously over-the-top talent performance, leading to a chaotic confrontation with their childhood rival Laurel (Alicia Silverstone), the original winner who has since achieved modest success as an author.[9] In a fit of impulsive rebellion, they snatch the pageant crown from the display during the event's finale, sparking a chase through the venue that highlights their enduring loyalty amid the absurdity.[2] Though they don't officially win, the ordeal catalyzes subtle emotional growth, as the friends acknowledge their mutual support as the true "prize," escaping with the stolen crown as a memento of their ass-backwards path to self-acceptance, ultimately deciding to return to New York together, unchanged yet unbreakable.[4][9]Cast
The film features June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson as the protagonists Kate Fenner and Chloe West, lifelong best friends attempting to reclaim their childhood dreams.[10] Supporting roles include notable actors portraying key figures in the protagonists' journey, as detailed below:| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Cryer | Dean Morris | A pageant organizer |
| Vincent D'Onofrio | Bruce West | Chloe's estranged father |
| Alicia Silverstone | Laurel | A rival pageant contestant |
| Brian Geraghty | Brian Hickman | Kate's love interest |
| Bob Odenkirk | Pageant MC | The emcee of the beauty pageant |