Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Summer of 69’ on Hulu, a Sweet and Spicy Teen Sex Comedy

New York Post - May 9th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Summer of 69, now streaming on Hulu, is a teen sex comedy centering around Abby, played by Sam Morelos from That '90s Show. Abby is a socially awkward high schooler who harbors a crush on her classmate, Max. Her quest for romance leads her to seek advice and unconventional lessons from a stripper named Santa Monica, portrayed by Chloe Fineman from SNL. The film marks the directorial debut of Jillian Bell, who co-wrote the script with Liz Nico and Jules Byrne. The narrative unfolds with Abby navigating her feelings and a budding friendship with Santa Monica, who is aiming to buy the strip club she works at to gain professional independence.

The film draws inspiration from classic teen comedies, echoing themes from John Hughes and Judd Apatow films, while adding a modern twist. Summer of 69 explores themes of adolescent insecurities and cross-generational friendships. Despite its raunchy humor and predictable plot elements, the movie manages to offer a heartfelt perspective on teenage experiences and aspirations. It stands out through its exploration of personal growth and empowerment, making it a charming addition to the genre. Jillian Bell's debut showcases a promising understanding of comedic storytelling, providing a fresh yet nostalgic cinematic experience.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides an engaging and humorous overview of the film 'Summer of 69,' effectively capturing its comedic elements and underlying themes. It accurately describes the plot and characters, offering a balanced perspective on the film's strengths and weaknesses. However, the article could improve its credibility by incorporating authoritative sources and enhancing transparency regarding its analysis. While the subject is timely and relevant to current entertainment discussions, its broader public interest and impact are limited. Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, with a lively tone that maintains reader interest.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article accurately describes the film "Summer of 69" as a sex comedy without actual sex scenes, focusing on sexual references and comedy. The protagonist, Abby, and her interactions with Santa Monica are correctly outlined, aligning with the film's plot details. The cast and director information is also accurate, with Jillian Bell as the director and Chloe Fineman as part of the cast. However, the article could benefit from additional verification of the movie's themes and comparisons to other films to ensure all claims are thoroughly supported by external sources.

7
Balance

The article provides a balanced view of the film by discussing its comedic elements and underlying themes of self-discovery and friendship. It does not exhibit overt bias towards the film, offering both praise for its humor and acknowledgment of its reliance on genre clichés. However, the article could be improved by including perspectives from a wider range of critics to offer a more comprehensive view of the film's reception.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and engaging narrative style. It effectively communicates the film's plot, characters, and themes, using humor to maintain reader interest. The structure is logical, with a coherent flow of ideas that enhances comprehension. However, some sections could benefit from more precise language to avoid potential misunderstandings.

6
Source quality

The article lacks explicit sources or references to authoritative reviews or critiques, which affects its credibility. While it does provide a detailed summary and analysis, the absence of citations from reputable film critics or industry sources limits the reliability of its claims. Including such references would enhance the article's authority and trustworthiness.

5
Transparency

The article provides a clear summary of the film's plot and themes but lacks transparency regarding the basis of its analysis. It does not disclose the methodology or sources used to form its opinions, nor does it reveal any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency about the review process and the author's background would improve the reader's understanding of the article's perspective.

Sources

  1. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/summer-of-69-hulu-movie-review-2025
  2. https://screenrant.com/summer-of-69-movie-review/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32378300/
  4. https://www.hulu.com/movie/2124aab9-1761-44ee-bda5-d045f8ce6ab7
  5. https://press.hulu.com/shows/summer-of-69/