Bad Words (2013)
Jason Bateman's directorial debut: a darkly funny, foul-mouthed comedy about a grown man crashing a children's spelling bee for deeply personal reasons.
Bad Words - Movie Information
- Original Title: Bad Words
- Release Year: 2013
- Directed by: Jason Bateman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 6, 2013 (Canada - 14A), March 14, 2014 (United States - R), October 13, 2014 (United Kingdom - 15), October 9, 2014 (Germany - 16), March 14, 2014 (Brazil - 14)
- Alternative Titles: Sprošťárny (CZ), Juegos de Palabras (ES)
- Production Companies: Darko Entertainment, Aggregate Films, MXN Entertainment, Focus Features
- Production Countries: United States of America
Bad Words - Plot
Forty-year-old misanthrope, Guy Trilby, enters the National Golden Quill Spelling Bee through a loophole in the rules.
Bad Words - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a taste of Guy Trilby's gloriously unhinged spelling bee campaign:
The end justifies the mean.
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Bad Words - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jason Bateman
Main Cast
- Jason Bateman
- Kathryn Hahn
- Rohan Chand
- Philip Baker Hall
- Allison Janney
- Ben Falcone
- Steve Witting
- Beth Grant
- Gwen Parden
- Anjul Nigam
Writers
- Andrew Dodge
Producers
- Jason Bateman
- Jeff Culotta
- Mason Novick
- Sean McKittrick
Bad Words - FAQs
Where can you stream Bad Words?
Bad Words is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It is not currently included in a major subscription streaming library, so digital rental is the most accessible option for most viewers.
Is Bad Words based on a true story?
No, Bad Words is not based on a true story. It is an original screenplay written by Andrew Dodge. The premise — an adult exploiting a loophole to compete in a children's spelling bee — is entirely fictional, though it satirizes competitive culture and adult grievances with darkly comedic effect.
Who are the main actors in Bad Words?
Bad Words stars Jason Bateman as Guy Trilby, Kathryn Hahn as journalist Jenny Widgeon, and Rohan Chand as Chaitanya Chopra. The supporting cast includes Philip Baker Hall, Allison Janney, Ben Falcone, and Beth Grant, all contributing to the film's sharp comedic ensemble.
What is Bad Words about?
Bad Words follows Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old misanthrope who exploits a technicality to compete in the National Golden Quill Spelling Bee against children. Critics praised it as a darkly funny character study, with Bateman delivering a caustic yet oddly sympathetic performance as a man driven by a hidden personal agenda.
Why does Guy Trilby enter the spelling bee?
Guy Trilby's true motivation for entering the spelling bee is deliberately withheld for most of the film, functioning as a central mystery. His reasons are deeply personal and rooted in his past, revealed in the third act in a way that recontextualizes his abrasive behavior throughout the story.
What is the age rating for Bad Words?
Bad Words is rated R in the United States for crude and sexual content, language, and brief nudity. It is not suitable for children, despite its spelling bee setting. In the UK it carries a 15 certificate, and in Germany it was rated 16.
Who directed Bad Words and how long is it?
Bad Words was directed by Jason Bateman, marking his feature directorial debut. He also stars as the lead character. The film has a runtime of 89 minutes, making it a lean, efficiently paced dark comedy that wastes little time establishing its irreverent tone.
Did Bad Words receive positive reviews from critics?
Bad Words received mixed-to-positive reviews. Critics generally praised Jason Bateman's committed performance and the film's willingness to embrace its mean-spirited premise without apology. Some found the humor too abrasive, but many appreciated its sharp satirical edge and the unexpected warmth in Bateman's dynamic with young co-star Rohan Chand.
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