July 24, 2025 — Hulu’s Summer of 69, the feature directorial debut from actress-turned-director Jillian Bell, has stirred significant buzz among Gen Z audiences since its SXSW premiere in March and Hulu release on May 9, 2025. The dramedy follows Abby Flores (Sam Morelos), a socially awkward high school senior, who enlists Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman), an exotic dancer, to give her a crash course in sexual confidence before graduation. What begins as a bold, comedic premise evolves into a heartfelt story of friendship, identity, and emotional growth.
Critics say the film defies expectations, steering away from vulgarity and instead embracing emotional resonance, quirky humor, and character connection in the spirit of modern teen classics like Booksmart and Superbad. Decider praised its clever mix of raunchy setup and sweet payoff, calling it a “sweet and spicy teen sex comedy” that strikes a balance between risqué moments and authentic, emotional storytelling, while Cinemablend lauded its warmth and emotional maturity, rejecting the expectation of a purely raunchy romp.
The performances of Fineman and Morelos have been singled out for elevating the material. FandomWire highlighted the duo’s chemistry, crediting them with transforming a thin premise into a layered narrative about unlikely friendship and mutual growth. JoBlo also noted their dynamic as a mismatched yet believable pair in what could have been a one-note sex comedy turned into a story about platonic support and emotional discovery .
Chloe Fineman’s portrayal of Santa Monica earned particular notice for its physicality and comedic range. Decider spotlighted her athletic striptease sequence—featuring pole dancing to Peaches’ “Boys Wanna Be Her”—performed after rigorous training, which Fineman said even helped relieve longtime back pain. Her dedication and authenticity anchor the film’s surprising emotional weight.
Read Also: https://womensreporter.com/summer-2025-streaming-guide-a-season-of-diverse-entertainment/
Jillian Bell co-wrote Summer of 69 with Liz Nico and Jules Byrne, drawing on a narrative that blends teen ambition, mentorship, and self-discovery into a cohesive coming-of-age arc. The screenplay reflects Bell’s desire to tell a female-centered story grounded in confidence and acceptance. According to The Daily Beast, Bell intentionally crafted the story to empower the female leads, infusing a fresh, inclusive perspective into a traditionally male-driven genre.
Despite its unconventional premise involving a high school senior and a stripper, critics commonly emphasize that Summer of 69 avoids exploitation. It instead develops a sincere friendship between Abby and Santa Monica that centers emotional lessons over sexual content. Remarks from The Guardian point to the film feeling occasionally uneven, but underscored by an earnest teenage performance from Morelos and generally competent direction from Bell.
The film’s release aligns with the demand for Gen Z-targeted stories that navigate modern anxieties—loneliness, social media pressure, sexual uncertainty—through comedic yet authentic frameworks. Abby’s journey, shaped by personal acceptance rather than fulfilling a rumor about her crush, reflects contemporary youth’s search for emotional validation over traditional romantic tropes.
With a runtime of 100 minutes, Summer of 69 unfolds as a fast-paced yet thoughtfully crafted film. It premiered at SXSW in mid-March and debuted on Hulu in early May, where it joined Hulu’s original films lineup alongside an ensemble cast including Matt Cornett, Charlie Day, Paula Pell, Liza Koshy, Nicole Byer, and more.
Overall, Summer of 69 stands out as a Gen Z–forward coming-of-age comedy that subverts conventional sex‑comedy tropes to deliver a genuine tale of friendship, empowerment, and self-discovery. Its appeal lies in smart writing, fearless performances, and a refreshing refusal to shy away from emotional honesty in teen storytelling.
