Summer of 69

Actress Jillian Bell makes her directorial debut with the teen comedy about friendship and unbridled sex in a film whose strength lies in its openness and authenticity.

Starring Chloe Fineman and Sam Morelos, this comedy takes us on a journey about unbridled sexual freedom and two characters who become soulmates in a humorous yet innocent way. This comedy has its amusing moments and ultimately delivers a satisfying result that can be enjoyed without any major hang-ups. A risky coming-of-age film that manages to contain ironic moments and rather dark humor that make it an absolute pleasure to watch, it's a hilarious homage to classic teen cinema, presented through the female gaze in a rather interesting directorial debut that deserves to be watched.

It's a journey through a film that doesn't discover anything new; it simply strives to place the right pieces at the right moments, resulting in a rather entertaining film. It showcases the kind of sweet, incredible friendships that make teen comedies memorable. When the credits roll, we're left with the feeling that a completely natural friendship has been forged between the characters and the audience, a sign that the journey was quite enjoyable and that we had a good time.

It's not perfect, it won't be for everyone, and the film is aware of that, but if you give it a chance, it will reward you with funny moments and two characters whose crazy antics make you laugh a lot, especially Morelos, who stands out as a budding star worth keeping an eye on.

We stumbled onto Summer of 69 while scrolling through Hulu, honestly just trying to escape another night of endless Netflix picks. None of us knew what we were in for - and yet, this offbeat comedy about teen awkwardness, friendship, and blooming confidence actually surprised us in the best way.

Abby, the main character, really stood out. Winny found her quirky charm and humor totally lovable, while Willow vibed more with the film's look and was (impatiently) waiting for "the good part" - which we'll just say... yeah, he knew when it hit. Mimikyu, meanwhile, was all in for the weird energy and couldn't stop giggling at the immature jokes, which somehow hit just right. Amy and Tails appreciated the character chemistry - the way they bounced off each other felt so natural, almost like real-life friendships, and they both related hard to the awkward, nervous moments that came up. It was that kind of "been there" energy.

Sweet thought the movie had something real to say underneath the laughs. He pointed out how it could be helpful for teens (maybe 14+) figuring things out - though, to him, the bold and loud use of the word sex felt a bit unreal and forced at times. Still, he got that it was a comedy, and it made the message easier to digest - even if it was kinda weird.

In the end, this movie isn't trying to be perfect or deep - but it's honest in a funny, slightly chaotic way. We had a good time.

Rating: 8/10 - Honest laughs and awkward charm!

Chloe Fineman delivers a standout performance as Santa Monica, an exotic dancer who helps high school senior Abby Flores, played by Sam Morelos, navigate her romantic endeavors. Fineman's portrayal is particularly notable for an impressive and athletic striptease scene set to Peaches' 2006 hit "Boys Wanna Be Her," showcasing her remarkable strength, flexibility, and control. Her performance has been highlighted as a pivotal moment in the film, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and Abby's character.

Bonus for 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans:

Adding to the film's appeal, Jerrika Hinton, known for her role as Dr. Stephanie Edwards on "Grey's Anatomy," appears in "Summer of 69." Her presence adds a familiar face for fans of the long-running medical drama.

Overall Assessment:

While "Summer of 69" offers a fresh take on the teen sex comedy genre with strong performances, especially from Fineman, its reception suggests it's more of a solid entry than a perfect film. Given the mixed reviews, a 10 out of 10 rating might be generous. However, if you're a fan of quirky coming-of-age stories with a blend of humor and heart, it could be a worthwhile watch.

Stumbling upon the 2025 comedy "Summer of 69" by random chance, I opted to watch the movie without knowing what I was in for. I simply opted to watch it as it was a movie that I had neither seen nor actually ever heard about. And thus, director Jillian Bell had every opportunity to entertain me here.

The storyline and script written by Jillian Bell, Jules Byrne and Liz Nico was really, really entertaining and enjoyable. There was a lot of great comedy throughout the course of the movie. It was nicely put together and brought to the screen. I was genuinely surprised with how much I enjoyed this 2025 comedy.

The only familiar faces on the cast list, for me, was actress Jillian Bell, whom also happen to both have written and directed the movie, and also actor Charlie Day. The acting performances in "Summer of 69" were good, and I was really impressed with leading actress Sam Morelos, playing Abby. Sam Morelos really carried the movie quite nicely, and she had great on-screen charisma, and she certainly seems like an actress that will go far with her talent.

If you enjoy coming of age comedies with a truly enjoyable storyline, then you most certainly should give "Summer of 69" a chance. I was genuinely and wholehearted entertained throughout the course of the 101 minutes that the movie ran for. I certainly had some good and genuine laughs.

My rating of director Jillian Bell's 2025 comedy "Summer of 69" lands on a most deserved eight out of ten stars.

One of those films that I suspect suffers from not having an obvious niche. It's a classic coming of age / sex comedy, but firmly aimed at girls not boys and with an adult sensibility (adult in the sense of grown up, not a euphemism for porn).

It's a much better film than its rating suggests. The leads are superb and superbly well cast. Some of the side characters are a bit too two dimensional, but no more than lots of films with far bigger budgets. The writing is sharp, with the right dose of raunch without going over the top. It is also well acted.

It also avoids the modern tick box tropes (one person of colour: tick; one person who is non-binary: tick; etc).