Superbad (2007)

Superbad (2007) is one of the most beloved modern comedies, a teen film that mixes raunchy humor, awkward high school drama, and surprisingly heartfelt moments about friendship. Directed by Greg Mottola and produced by Judd Apatow, it remains a cult favorite thanks to its sharp writing by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.

Detailed Summary

Seth and Evan’s High School Struggles

The movie centers on two inseparable best friends, Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), who are about to graduate from high school. The looming separation—since they’ll be attending different colleges—casts a shadow over their final days together. Their main goal: to score alcohol for a party thrown by Jules (Emma Stone), Seth’s crush, in hopes of impressing her.

Enter Fogell (a.k.a. McLovin)

Their plan hinges on their nerdy friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who acquires a hilariously terrible fake ID under the single name “McLovin.” The ID becomes central to the movie’s chaos, leading to both comedic and disastrous outcomes.

The Party Mission Goes Off the Rails

While Seth and Evan attempt to buy booze, Fogell gets sidetracked when two incompetent but strangely lovable cops—Officer Slater (Bill Hader) and Officer Michaels (Seth Rogen)—take him on a wild ride. Meanwhile, Seth and Evan find themselves in increasingly absurd and sketchy situations, including attending a random adult party where things get completely out of hand.

The Cracks in the Friendship

Amid the chaos, Seth and Evan’s friendship is tested. They argue about their future and their differences, revealing that their over-the-top quest for alcohol is really about their fear of drifting apart after high school.

Movie Ending

The movie’s climax unfolds at Jules’ party, where Seth tries to impress her but ends up accidentally headbutting her. The drunken gesture ruins his chances, though Jules doesn’t hold it against him. Meanwhile, Evan ends up in a bedroom with Becca (Martha MacIsaac), who drunkenly tries to seduce him. Evan, being morally cautious, decides not to take advantage of her, leading to a sweet but awkward moment.

The party is soon busted by police. Seth and Evan escape, but not before Seth carries an unconscious Evan over his shoulder, symbolizing their co-dependent but loving friendship.

The next day, in the film’s true emotional resolution, Seth and Evan go to the mall, where they run into Jules and Becca. The pairs split off—Seth with Jules and Evan with Becca—hinting at the possibility of new romantic relationships. However, the most important takeaway is that Seth and Evan realize they’ll be okay apart, their friendship secure even as they head into new chapters of their lives.

It’s a mix of awkward romance, coming-of-age closure, and a surprisingly touching ending about friendship.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Superbad does not have a post-credits scene. Once the credits roll, the story is over—no hidden jokes or setups for a sequel.

Type of Movie

Superbad is a teen comedy/coming-of-age film with raunchy humor, awkward teenage antics, and heartfelt emotional beats. It balances crude jokes with genuine explorations of friendship and growing up.

Cast

• Jonah Hill as Seth
• Michael Cera as Evan
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Fogell/McLovin
• Emma Stone as Jules
• Martha MacIsaac as Becca
• Bill Hader as Officer Slater
• Seth Rogen as Officer Michaels

Film Music and Composer

The funky, retro-inspired soundtrack was composed by Lyle Workman, with contributions from Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic fame. The music gives the film a playful, groovy vibe, reinforcing its throwback energy despite the modern setting.

Filming Locations

Superbad was filmed mainly in Los Angeles, California, and Culver City High School stood in for the boys’ school. The suburban backdrop was key to grounding the film—its realism makes the absurd comedy even funnier and more relatable.

Awards and Nominations

The movie wasn’t a huge awards darling, but it received recognition from comedy-centric award shows:

• Nominated for Best Movie, Best Comedic Performance and Breakthrough Performance at the MTV Movie Awards (2008).
• Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin) was nominated for several breakthrough performance awards.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg began writing the script when they were teenagers, loosely based on their own high school experiences.
• Rogen originally intended to play Seth but aged out of the role by the time the film was made.
• The term “McLovin” quickly entered pop culture and became a slang reference everywhere.
• Jonah Hill and Michael Cera improvised many of their awkward exchanges, adding authenticity to the dialogue.

Inspirations and References

The film was inspired by real-life friendship experiences of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. They wanted to capture the awkwardness, desperation, and hilarity of teenage life—especially the bizarre lengths teens go to in order to fit in and impress their crushes.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The DVD and Blu-ray include several deleted scenes, most of them extended comedy bits and improv sequences. However, the overall story and ending remained the same. No alternate endings were produced.

Book Adaptations and Differences

There is no book adaptation of Superbad, though the film itself is essentially a semi-autobiographical story drawn from the writers’ lives.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The convenience store moment when Fogell tries to buy alcohol with the “McLovin” ID.
• The cops taking McLovin out for a night of ridiculous bonding.
• Seth getting hit by a car—twice—in one day.
• The final emotional scene in the mall, where Seth and Evan part ways.

Iconic Quotes

• “I am McLovin.”
• “Nobody’s gotten a handjob in cargo shorts since ’Nam.”
• “You scratch our back, we’ll scratch yours… well, funny thing about my back, it’s located on my cock.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Seth Rogen’s cop character is named Michaels—his real-life best friend growing up was named Michael.
• The number “1227” appears in the background multiple times, which is Seth Rogen’s real birthday (December 27).
• The fake ID’s Hawaiian design was based on an actual gag ID popular in Canada.

Trivia

• This was Christopher Mintz-Plasse’s first movie role ever. He was only 17 at the time, meaning his mother had to be present during his sex scene filming.
• Emma Stone made her feature film debut with this movie.
• The film grossed over $170 million worldwide on a budget of just $20 million.

Why Watch?

Because Superbad is more than just a raunchy teen comedy. It’s a heartfelt, hilarious exploration of friendship, adolescence, and the awkward transition into adulthood. It has some of the most quotable lines in modern comedy and still feels fresh more than a decade later.

Director’s Other Movies

• Adventureland (2009)
• The Daytrippers (1996)
• Clear History (2013)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Pineapple Express (2008)
• 21 Jump Street (2012)
• The Girl Next Door (2004)
• Booksmart (2019)
• American Pie (1999)
• Porn in the Hood (2011)
• Dazed and Confused (1993)