If your teenager is obsessed with movies that are loud, incredibly messy, and deeply R-rated, they've almost certainly run into Rachel Sennott. She is the undisputed queen of Gen Z's chaotic, anxiety-fueled comedy scene, writing and starring in the exact kind of projects that make parents squint at the screen and ask, "Are they allowed to say that?"
TL;DR: Rachel Sennott is the creative engine behind some of Gen Z’s favorite chaotic, R-rated comedies, including the hilarious high-school fight-club satire Bottoms and the Gen Z slasher Bodies Bodies Bodies. Her work is defined by rapid-fire anxiety, drug-fueled parties, and deeply flawed but highly relatable characters. For parents, her catalog requires a high tolerance for mature content, but it offers a brilliant, razor-sharp window into modern teen culture.
Rachel Sennott is the poster child for a very specific flavor of modern, hyper-verbal, high-anxiety humor. She didn't take the traditional Hollywood path; instead, she built a massive following doing alt-comedy on Twitter and Instagram before transitioning into an indie film darling and, eventually, an HBO showrunner. If your teen is into her, they love comedy that is fast, deeply self-deprecating, and unapologetically chaotic.
Sennott's early work is characterized by small-budget, high-concept indie films that rely on claustrophobic social situations and cringe comedy.
This film is essentially a horror movie disguised as a family comedy. Sennott plays Danielle, a bisexual college student who attends a family shiva and is bombarded by questions from overbearing relatives. The tension sky-rockets when her secret sugar daddy shows up with his wife and screaming baby. It is incredibly stressful, deeply awkward, and wildly funny. It is rated R for strong sexual content and language, but it serves as a brilliant look at the crushing social pressure teens and young adults face.
Set during a grief group at a synagogue after a classmate’s suicide, this quiet, stylized indie drama stars Sennott as a self-absorbed teen navigating her sexuality and friendship. It’s a raw, occasionally uncomfortable look at teenage grief and identity, landing best with older teens who appreciate complex, imperfect characters.
These are the movies that cemented Sennott as a generational icon. They are loud, colorful, and highly stylized.
A group of wealthy 20-somethings play a murder mystery game during a hurricane party at a remote mansion, and things go horribly wrong when a real body is found. Sennott plays Alice, an insecure podcaster who uses therapy-speak to defend her incredibly selfish behavior. The movie satirizes performative social justice and fragile friendships. While it features heavy drug use, drinking, swearing, and bloody violence, the violence is wrapped in dark comedy rather than pure horror.
Co-written by Sennott and director Emma Seligman, this is a queer high school comedy that plays like a fever-dream version of Superbad. Sennott and Ayo Edebiri play two unpopular high schoolers who start a "self-defense club" (which is actually a fight club) as a scheme to hook up with cheerleaders. It is absurdly violent (cartoonishly so, with characters getting punched through drywall), filled with raunchy sex jokes, and incredibly witty. It’s an instant teen classic that satirizes high school movie tropes.
Sennott’s television work dives into the toxic, fast-paced worlds of modern ambition, fame, and codependency.
Sennott's critically acclaimed HBO series follows Maia, an ambitious but struggling talent agent navigating the toxic grind of Los Angeles with her codependent friend group. The humor is biting, and the relationships are messy. It is R-rated for television (swearing, sexual content, drinking).
HBO has renewed the series, and Season 2 is set to drop in the future. Based on the trajectory of the first season, the upcoming episodes will likely dive deeper into Maia's chaotic career climb and the fragile boundaries of her tight-knit friend group.
Sennott plays Leia, the assistant to a troubled pop star in this notoriously explicit, highly sexualized, and critically panned drama. While Sennott was widely praised as the only grounded, funny part of the show, The Idol features graphic sexual content and toxic dynamics. If your teen is watching this, it is worth having a real talk about how the media portrays power dynamics and exploitation in Hollywood.
Sennott’s latest projects continue to push the boundaries of meta-comedy and intimate drama.
This A24 mockumentary, directed by Aidan Zamiri and based on an idea by Charli xcx, is a wildly chaotic, fast-paced satire of the music industry. Sennott plays an exaggerated, ironic version of herself alongside Kylie Jenner and Charli xcx. It’s a sensory-overload experience filled with flashing lights, club music, and celebrity cameos—perfect for older teens obsessed with internet pop culture.
Released in April 2026, this intimate indie drama stars and was directed by Katarina Zhu. Sennott plays Bella, the privileged but caring best friend of a New York City cam girl navigating grief and a toxic relationship. This is a darker, more mature film that deals directly with online intimacy and loneliness, making it a compelling watch for mature older teens (17+).
Part of why Gen Z is so obsessed with Sennott is that she feels accessible. She is a frequent guest on popular internet talk shows and podcasts, where she brings the same unscripted, high-energy charm that she displays in her scripted roles.
Teens often discover her through these viral YouTube clips and podcast appearances before ever sitting down to watch her feature films.
The biggest thing to understand about Rachel Sennott's work is that it does not do "wholesome." Her characters are frequently selfish, highly anxious, and make terrible decisions under the influence of various substances.
However, her movies are satirizing this behavior, not endorsing it. When you watch Bottoms or Bodies Bodies Bodies, the characters' flaws and modern buzzwords are the actual joke. Talk to your teen about the difference between a movie glorifying reckless behavior and a movie making fun of how ridiculous that behavior actually is.
Q: Is Bottoms okay for a 14-year-old?
Bottoms is rated R for crude sexual content, pervasive language, and violence, so it is definitely mature. However, the violence is highly cartoonish and the sexual humor is satirical rather than graphic. If your 14-year-old is mature enough for classic R-rated high school comedies like Superbad, they will likely love the sharp wit of this film.
Q: What is Rachel Sennott's HBO show called?
Rachel Sennott's HBO series is called I Love LA. She created, wrote, and stars in the comedy, which follows a codependent group of friends navigating ambition and relationships in Los Angeles.
Q: Why is Rachel Sennott so popular with Gen Z?
Sennott built her early career on Twitter and Instagram, mastering the specific, high-anxiety, self-deprecating humor that defines Gen Z internet culture. She writes and plays characters who are messy, deeply flawed, and highly relatable, making her a relatable icon for teens and young adults.
Q: Is Bodies Bodies Bodies too scary for teens?
Bodies Bodies Bodies is more of a satirical dark comedy than a traditional horror movie, though it does feature blood, jump scares, and slashings. The focus is much more on the hilarious bickering and fragile friendships of the characters than on terrifying suspense.
If your teen is diving deep into the world of modern indie comedy and satire, you don't have to navigate it blindly. Check out our digital guide for high school to see how other families handle mature content, or browse our best movies for kids list for lighter comedies that hit the sweet spot for your family's boundaries.
