Superbad
Superbad is a 2007 American coming-of-age teen comedy film directed by Greg Mottola and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.[1][2] The film stars Jonah Hill as Seth and Michael Cera as Evan, two high school seniors and best friends who embark on a chaotic quest to acquire alcohol for a party on their last weekend before graduation, enlisting the help of their awkward classmate Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), while dealing with separation anxiety and encounters with bumbling police officers played by Bill Hader and Seth Rogen.[1][2] Produced by Judd Apatow under Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it premiered on August 13, 2007, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and was theatrically released on August 17, 2007.[2][3] The screenplay, originally written by Rogen and Goldberg as teenagers in the early 1990s and later refined during their time at film school, draws from their own high school experiences and captures the awkwardness, humor, and emotional depth of teenage friendship and romance.[4] With a production budget of approximately $20 million, Superbad grossed $170 million worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies of its time and marking a commercial breakthrough for the Apatow comedy collective.[3][5] Critically acclaimed for its authentic portrayal of adolescence, sharp dialogue, and breakout performances—particularly from Hill, Cera, and Mintz-Plasse—the film holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 206 reviews, with praise for balancing raunchy humor with heartfelt moments.[1][4] Superbad received several award nominations, including for Best Comedy and Best Young Actor (Michael Cera) at the 13th Critics' Choice Awards, Best Comedy at the Empire Awards, and multiple nods at the 2008 MTV Movie + TV Awards, such as Best Movie and Best Comedic Performance.[6] Its cultural impact endures as a defining teen comedy of the 2000s, launching the careers of its young leads and influencing subsequent films in the genre with its blend of vulgarity and vulnerability; the character McLovin has become an iconic pop culture reference, often parodied in media. In 2025, the film inspired a charity virtual table read and a new oral history book.[7][8][9][10] The film's soundtrack, featuring a mix of classic rock and original score by Lyle Workman, further contributed to its nostalgic appeal.[1]Synopsis
Plot summary
High school seniors Seth and Evan, best friends facing separation anxiety as they prepare to attend different colleges, spend their final weeks plotting to attend a house party thrown by popular student Jules in hopes of finally losing their virginities before graduation.[11] Their plan hinges on acquiring alcohol to impress the partygoers, enlisting their awkward friend Fogell, who has obtained a fake ID identifying him as the Hawaiian exchange student "McLovin."[11] The trio heads to a liquor store, where Fogell attempts to purchase the booze alone, but the situation escalates when two armed robbers burst in, demanding money and threatening the store owner during the chaos.[11][12] Fogell hides behind the counter as police officers Slater and Michaels arrive just in time to scare off the robbers, though they initially suspect Fogell of involvement; after reviewing security footage and being amused by his fake ID, the officers befriend him and decide to help him score alcohol themselves, leading to a night of reckless antics including reckless driving that results in the patrol car hitting Seth and later crashing into a light post.[11][12] Meanwhile, Seth and Evan, waiting outside the liquor store, panic at the sight of the police and flee on foot, eventually stumbling upon a rowdy house party filled with older adults.[11] Desperate for alcohol, Seth infiltrates the party and barters with a guest named Aldo, but a brawl erupts when Seth refuses to hand over cash, resulting in him being struck in the head with a bottle and sustaining a painful facial injury that leaves him bloodied.[11] The friends manage to swipe several bottles of liquor during the melee and escape in a stolen vehicle, but tensions boil over during the drive as Seth accuses Evan of being too passive and reliant on their friendship, leading to a heated argument that strands Seth after Evan drives off in frustration.[11] Reuniting later with Fogell—who has been dragged into the cops' increasingly drunken escapades, including a botched supermarket vandalism attempt—the group presses on to Jules's party, though Seth's worsening injury and the group's disheveled state complicate their arrival.[11] At the house party, which descends into wild chaos with spilled drinks, fights, and rampant underage drinking, Seth attempts to woo Jules but accidentally headbutts her while dancing, exacerbating his head wound and covering both in blood; she helps clean him up in a bathroom, where they share a vulnerable moment, though Seth passes out from pain and alcohol.[11] Evan, meanwhile, connects with his crush Becca, who is heavily intoxicated, and accompanies her home, where he gently tucks her into bed without taking advantage of the situation, choosing instead to sleep chastely beside her.[11] The night culminates in Slater and Michaels raiding the party in search of the escaped robbers, forcing Seth and an unconscious Evan to flee together, with Seth carrying his friend to safety in a touching display of their bond.[11] The next morning, the friends reconcile at the mall, where Seth and Evan encounter Jules and Becca again; the girls express interest in dating them, and the boys share a final act of rebellion by drawing phallic graffiti on their high school lockers before parting ways, confident in their enduring friendship despite the impending changes.[11]Themes
Superbad explores the intricacies of male friendship as its core theme, portraying the deep emotional bonds between adolescent boys navigating the end of high school. The film depicts these relationships with sensitivity, highlighting moments of vulnerability and affection that underscore the value of platonic love amid societal pressures to prioritize romance.[13] This theme is amplified through the protagonists' fears of separation as they approach college, emphasizing how friendship serves as a anchor during the turbulent transition to adulthood.[14] The humor arises from the awkwardness of their interactions, blending crude jokes with genuine tenderness to illustrate the complexities of growing up.[15] Central motifs in the film symbolize the characters' quests for maturity and self-definition. Alcohol functions as a key emblem of adulthood, representing the characters' misguided belief that intoxication will unlock social confidence and romantic success, often leading to comedic mishaps that expose their inexperience.[15] The "McLovin" fake ID persona embodies identity experimentation, as the character adopts a fabricated adult guise to infiltrate forbidden spaces, reflecting the teenage impulse to reinvent oneself for acceptance.[13] Homosocial bonds take precedence over heterosexual romance, with the film delving into homoerotic undercurrents in male friendships that challenge traditional notions of masculinity, ultimately affirming emotional intimacy among peers.[15] The narrative subverts conventional teen comedy tropes by prioritizing emotional authenticity over superficial conquests, such as shifting focus from sexual triumphs to the preservation of friendships.[14] This approach evokes a nostalgia for 1980s teen films like those of John Hughes, through its emphasis on awkward outsiders and heartfelt coming-of-age humor, while adapting these elements to a more raunchy, contemporary lens.[16] By humanizing the awkwardness of teenage sexuality and the rite-of-passage quest for a party, Superbad offers a layered comedic examination of youth that resonates beyond mere laughs.[13]Cast and characters
Principal cast
The principal cast of Superbad (2007) features a mix of emerging and established comedic talents, portraying the film's core ensemble of high school students and authority figures.[17]| Actor | Role | Basic Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Jonah Hill | Seth | Academically challenged high school senior, outgoing and aggressive best friend hopeful about romantic prospects.[18] |
| Michael Cera | Evan | Lanky high school senior with a reserved demeanor and wide-eyed surprise, Seth's loyal counterpart.[18] |
| Christopher Mintz-Plasse | Fogell (aka McLovin) | Awkward classmate aspiring to suavity, skilled at forging identities but often a comedic irritant.[18] |
| Seth Rogen | Officer Michaels | Juvenile police officer partnering in bungled enforcement, bringing deadpan humor to authority.[18] |
| Bill Hader | Officer Slater | Energetic and dangerously immature cop, amplifying the duo's chaotic comedic energy.[18] |
| Emma Stone | Jules | Charismatic school "hottie," object of adolescent infatuation with poised allure.[18] |
| Martha MacIsaac | Becca | Attractive peer embodying teenage crush ideals, with a mix of vulnerability and appeal.[18] |