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Bad Words
Bad Words
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Bad Words

Bad Words

2014
Comedy, Drama
1h 29m
A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult. (imdb)

Directed by:

Jason Bateman

Screenwriter:

Andrew Dodge

Starring:

Philip Baker Hall, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, Patricia Belcher, Beth Grant, Jason Bateman, Allan Miller, Rachael Harris, Greg Cromer, Rohan Chand, Ben Falcone, Steve Witting

Genres:

Comedy, Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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Bad Words

2014
Comedy, Drama
1h 29m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 45.23% from 660 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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therealj_roTheRealJ-Ro
Rated 20 Nov 2014
25
6th
Not any movie can implement a vehicular chair-shot. Has to get a point for that. But I'm struggling heavily to find a reason to like this. I don't ask for believability from comedies but honestly, no-one would ever have sex with this guy, and no-one should like this man-child who talks like an 11-year-old who just discovered Xbox Live but is actually a grudge-carrying genius. Maybe I'm getting old and "that's the joke", but this isn't funny to me. I don't even find the premise that promising.
Rated 20 Nov 2014
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 21 Mar 2014
60
62nd
Bad Words is a profane and mean-spirited comedy, and if watching a grown man swear at everyone and take a young boy on a journey through more debauchery than most people experience in a lifetime is something you find funny, Bad Words is going to be the film for you. It's tightly paced, the laughs are frequent until the cliched ending, and Jason Bateman does a great job pulling double duty as both the lead and director. It works and I had a good time while watching it.
Rated 21 Mar 2014
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 31 Mar 2014
75
66th
I could probably watch Jason Bateman talk shit to people all day. It follows the same basic formula as something like Bad Santa, but I still got plenty of enjoyment and laughs out of it. Curious to see what Jason Bateman directs in the future.
Rated 31 Mar 2014
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 20 Jan 2017
49
7th
I don't know, Jason Batemen can do a competent job if he's given a decent script, he doesn't make a movie, and generally doesn't ruin one either. Someone decided to hand him this miserable idea and he ran with it, I'll give him credit for directing, but comic genius he ain't and this movie is just plain not funny.
Rated 20 Jan 2017
realmacgyverRealMacgyver
Rated 17 Apr 2015
80
79th
I can pronounce floccinaucinihilipilification. The presenter guy couldn't. I should be hired for the damned spelling bee word guy gig.
Rated 17 Apr 2015
yiannosYiannos
Rated 17 Aug 2014
53
32nd
Novel premise undermined by sentimental moments and a conventional resolution. Bateman's directorial debut is not inauspicious: he clearly knows how to direct actors and stage a scene; and it's great to see him play against the usual goodie-two-shoes-nice-guy type. It's just a shame that it loses its nerve in the final reel and plays to the crowds rather than following its own wayward path.
Rated 17 Aug 2014
muzak66muzak66
Rated 07 Aug 2014
68
38th
Much funnier then I expected.
Rated 07 Aug 2014
shauny18shauny18
Rated 28 Jul 2014
50
35th
The mean spirited nature of this film really hindered my enjoyment. Jason Bateman's character is so hateable from start to finish its difficult to care about his agenda and you never want him to achieve redemption. This film isnt without its laughs though and there are alot of edgy one liners which will leave you shocked but also laughing. I think its an achievement they have managed to make a film based around a spelling bee but its definitely not one to remember.
Rated 28 Jul 2014
obdurateObdurate
Rated 14 Apr 2014
35
6th
The premise is kinda neat. I don't mind "mean-spirited" comedy if done right, but Bad Words didn't do that. I laughed ONCE, and was most entertained by the final spelling bee, but the rest of the movie was just cruel and unfunny. If a middle-aged guy swearing and being mean to everyone is funny to you, then seriously, power to ya, but -- at least in this case -- it didn't do it for me. Deserves props for the premise, but not even Bateman's charm (which he has in spades) can't save his own movie.
Rated 14 Apr 2014
xacviantxacviant
Rated 13 Apr 2014
83
61st
A ne'er-do-well proofreader (Jason Bateman) exploits a loophole and competes in grade-school spelling bees, making it to the nationals. His agenda a mystery to everyone else, he's dismissive or outright nasty to all he encounters--but the truth will out. Bateman relishes the depraved lead role, and making his directing debut, shows some good chops. Ronan Chand is a delight as the competitor he befriends. A few iffy choices and sentimental moments bring it down, but it's worth your time.
Rated 13 Apr 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 27 Mar 2014
65
45th
It's formulaic but still quite funny assuming you like dark, slightly offensive jokes. It's a perfectly fine film and I look forward to what Bateman brings to the table directing wise in the future.
Rated 27 Mar 2014
timon88Timon88
Rated 22 Jan 2024
53
48th
Sort of like "Bad Santa", except about an adult contestant in a kids' spelling bee. I'm a sucker for flicks about foul-mouthed, angry guys--what can I say? The scene where he tells the kid his winning word was "autofellatio", who then tries to work out its meaning was fucking brilliant.
Rated 22 Jan 2024
babaracusbabaracus
Rated 02 Jan 2024
6
24th
I just watched this, then came to rate it and realized I had already watched it and completely forgot
Rated 02 Jan 2024
mlelienmlelien
Rated 23 Jun 2023
10
28th
Was originally going to come in with a 25 score, gave it some leeway because I thought it was a mid 2000s movie. Saw it was 2014 and lowered it to 10.
Rated 23 Jun 2023
doyler29doyler29
Rated 14 Nov 2022
80
68th
Look ... this isn't going win any awards, but I damn well laughed at t quite often. Allison Janney and Philip Baker Hall have memorable supporting turns.
Rated 14 Nov 2022
gkfilmgkfilm
Rated 09 Jul 2022
50
23rd
Entertainment: 3.5. Spirit: 0.5. Sustainability: 0.5. Family: 0.5
Rated 09 Jul 2022
decanusellisDecanusEllis
Rated 20 Apr 2021
77
54th
I actually found this quite enjoyable and heartwarming. The relationship between Guy and Chaitanya was quite sweet, but weirdly inappropriate at times (I guess that is the point) I thought a lot of the jokes were quite funny and the ending was really warm. And for a comedy it was filmed nicely with the heavy use of lens flares and bokeh and also a distinctive colour palette of yellow and green. Not all the jokes hit of course, and not everything was fleshed out. But enjoyable nonetheless.
Rated 20 Apr 2021
nobambanobamba
Rated 02 May 2020
50
46th
Jason Bateman being a dick to everyone in sight. Lame reporter-using-sex trope. For the first half of the movie I thought the twist would be that the kid was imaginary. I thought it was fun to make light of spelling bees---they're really silly to begin with. I groaned every time a kid asked for a word's origin. Did it really take Deep Throat to figure out the words were rigged and then whistleblow? Fav scene: kid kicking Bateman in the balls and then smacking the old guy with a chair WWE-style.
Rated 02 May 2020
jj1986JJ1986
Rated 26 Jun 2019
40
13th
Almost a child's idea of what a vulgar movie would be like. A thin idea stretched to a (barely) full length movie.
Rated 26 Jun 2019
silverpineSilverPine
Rated 21 Jan 2019
90
81st
Husband couldn't stop laughing the entire movie. Worth it for that. :)
Rated 21 Jan 2019
seenmanyseenmany
Rated 17 Jun 2017
95
93rd
i like the movies where there is non compliance between two people, towards exacting revenge turn by turn. This wallpaper is so bad, the wallpaper makes it seem the whole movie would be about horrible words, not true.And the wallpaper alone made me skip watching this movie so many time in those imdb lists, I also like movies where a guy takes whats being thrown at him, & still pulls through to win in his own way (legen-dary style), which this was.
Rated 17 Jun 2017
prestobixPrestoBix
Rated 21 Apr 2017
72
50th
Seen 2x
Rated 21 Apr 2017
gorillanoshGorillaNosh
Rated 11 Jan 2017
89
41st
Skipping this spells disaster. This movie is quite funny, ends well, and is not a waste of your time
Rated 11 Jan 2017
cstewart64CStewart64
Rated 29 Apr 2016
9
29th
W3E1P1S0V1M1A1R1. Funny premise that just turned out lame.
Rated 29 Apr 2016
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 08 Dec 2015
60
25th
Watching Bateman toss insults probably won't ever get old, even if the film isn't all that great.
Rated 08 Dec 2015
caimancaiman
Rated 22 Nov 2015
68
32nd
Not as funny as it should have been given its preposterous premise. Bateman's okay, but the script doesn't stick like it ought to.
Rated 22 Nov 2015
thorn969thorn969
Rated 14 Nov 2015
3
0th
A bad movie with little point... actually... the story point was vaguely clever, but mostly the movie was a meandering mess that was going nowhere.
Rated 14 Nov 2015
kokoskotekokoskote
Rated 07 Nov 2015
80
41st
Pretty enjoyable. Jason Bateman's character is relatable for the most part (in terms of his emotions, not necessarily his actions). The ending is nice and neat, and leaves you with a good feeling.
Rated 07 Nov 2015
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 01 Nov 2015
69
73rd
Underrated by force of sheet swear laden insults. It is short and sweet but packs some entertainment punch.
Rated 01 Nov 2015
forehead1forehead1
Rated 04 Jul 2015
60
72nd
A decent little indie,relying heavily on Bateman's dry,sarcy performance (and the script he's working off): some of the snide,calculated remarks to his underage competitors are priceless.The story's a bit flimsy overall but becomes much less predictable than you first fear,and even the increasingly silly stuff with Chaitanya is enjoyable to watch.A shame then that the conclusion shifts back to exactly what you were expecting earlier,and the film predictably loses some of its bite as a result.
Rated 04 Jul 2015
nilkynarfynilkynarfy
Rated 03 Jul 2015
80
78th
Bateman's performance: he's not an asshole, see, he's on the clock. I dug it, and the payoff was satisfying enough. I mean, Kojak lights are cool. I liked how little we knew about anyone; the film feels like an episode rather than the whole story.
Rated 03 Jul 2015
chemical404chemical404
Rated 19 Jun 2015
38
21st
I didn't like the story and tone of the film too much. A tad darker, but very much like lots of other indie comedies.
Rated 19 Jun 2015
scorpusScorpus
Rated 09 Feb 2015
76
58th
A ridiculous movie with a not so excellent ending
Rated 09 Feb 2015
benoliver999benoliver999
Rated 05 Feb 2015
80
75th
Bateman's character is obscene and foul mouthed, and the clash between him and the ten year old is where much of the comedy stems from. This sounds like a gimmick but somehow Bateman deftly dodges the wacky clichés and makes it work. Their relationship is genuinely funny and endearing.
Rated 05 Feb 2015
moist666moist666
Rated 25 Jan 2015
10
1st
it wasn't as funny as it could have been
Rated 25 Jan 2015
aaautinAAAutin
Rated 19 Dec 2014
60
71st
F-U-N-N-Y.
Rated 19 Dec 2014
lucky11lucky11
Rated 30 Nov 2014
85
74th
Too good! Rohan Chand has the blink in his eyes!!
Rated 30 Nov 2014
snazzSnazz
Rated 19 Sep 2014
50
30th
Middle of the road. Nothing to hate, but too standard to love.
Rated 19 Sep 2014
bricksBricks
Rated 04 Sep 2014
55
38th
Had some laughs, but a little darker than I thought it'd be.
Rated 04 Sep 2014
zipsterZipster
Rated 21 Aug 2014
70
16th
For those like me who worried that they put all the good parts in the trailer, our suspicions are correct. I guess I expected something more scandalously obscene and exuberant in its amorality, but as it turns out, it just doesn't go that far in how it approaches its premise. At least it has its moments and a fun plotline, even if we were already familiar with those.
Rated 21 Aug 2014
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 19 Aug 2014
83
66th
This movie certainly had them. Bad words was directed by Jason Bateman ands stars him as well. I love the idea of a grown man taking on children in a spelling bee. I also love the fact that he was an awesome speller and could takle just about any word. Some of this movie is cliched, especially the ending, but I still thought it was fun. It gets a bit raunchy at times but has some cute moments too...
Rated 19 Aug 2014
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 18 Aug 2014
77
95th
Bad Words is delightfully distasteful. It's clever. It's different. And above all it's funny. There are moments went it gets darker and has a more sombre tone, and Bateman juggles it well, both as an actor and a director, balancing mean-spiritedness and heart.
Rated 18 Aug 2014
ratedarghratedargh
Rated 13 Aug 2014
60
30th
A few hysterical moments, but sadly it's not as consistent as it could have been. The concept is pretty audacious, as is some of the execution, but it gets bogged down with some unfortunately benign sentimentality.
Rated 13 Aug 2014
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 11 Aug 2014
20
7th
Stupid plot and message. That said, it was not a complete waste of time, but not that good either. Some comedy, but nothing laugh out loud funny. Mostly a collection of moderately amusing moments held together by a thin thread of revenge. A few scenes were engaging, but most of it was hard to enjoy.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
chrispalmChrisPalm
Rated 05 Aug 2014
72
33rd
Mediocre. The story is plain straight. Or translated into this movie; Predictable as a cuntmuscle
Rated 05 Aug 2014
damildamil
Rated 28 Jul 2014
60
43rd
I thought Jason Bateman did a fine job, both as director and actor. The film itself is nothing spectacular, but I found it entertaining. The story's pretty minimal, and the tone seems a little confused, but it has a good setting, and there are some fairly amusing moments. I wouldn't rush out to recommend it to everyone, but there are lot of worse comedies you could watch.
Rated 28 Jul 2014
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 17 Jul 2014
70
29th
Surprisingly good for how spare the story is. Bateman and the kid work really well together. Bateman's also real good at acting like a giant asshole. Nothing spectacular but entertaining off and on.
Rated 17 Jul 2014
pecetpecet
Rated 29 Jun 2014
60
19th
Weird movie. Funny at moments but mostly very weird.
Rated 29 Jun 2014
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 19 Jun 2014
71
31st
This movie is all over the place. I think Jason Bateman is miscast, this type of role would be more suitable for an actor like Billy Bob Thornton. However Rohan Chand is an amazing casting choice and his performance really improves the movie. There are some funny moments and some weird ones. Overall l would give this film a small recommendation.
Rated 19 Jun 2014
mspraguemsprague
Rated 24 May 2014
70
60th
Funny stuff.
Rated 24 May 2014
nofearnofear
Rated 19 Apr 2014
81
81st
I really enjoyed this. I think Batemen is always easy to watch. Could have worked with a number of people but Batemen pulls it off.
Rated 19 Apr 2014
cdub12cdub12
Rated 08 Apr 2014
55
25th
Super duper formulaic. The characters don't really do anything to make you feel any type of emotion for them. Just not very well fleshed out. With that said, it's enjoyable enough to throw on in the background and get some laughs out of.
Rated 08 Apr 2014
cowfrappecowfrappe
Rated 08 Apr 2014
61
35th
A tonally-confused directorial debut from Bateman.
Rated 08 Apr 2014
emtiltemtilt
Rated 04 Apr 2014
56
32nd
Bateman delivers very well-devised jokes in an extremely amusing fashion, but this film hinges entirely on those discrete jokes. As a whole, it does very little, so, though it is funny throughout, it is very soon forgotten.
Rated 04 Apr 2014
superargoSuperargo
Rated 01 Apr 2014
71
66th
I dug it. No real surprises, but it goes down easy and maintains that mean streak (almost) all the way to the end. Some parts of it don't quite click with the rest, but at least it doesn't go soft like you're always sorta worrying it will--it makes sense from a narrative perspective and offers a few legitimate belly laughs. Bateman's given us worse movies,that's for sure.
Rated 01 Apr 2014
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 30 Mar 2014
65
42nd
Someone spilled coffee on this movie
Rated 30 Mar 2014
shadrikShadrik
Rated 29 Mar 2014
61
27th
'Hey, here is a funny idea. Let's make a movie out of it. And have Bateman curse a lot!" - It feels like they didn't get much further, as the subplots have no effect and the supporting characters are falling flat. Well, Bateman cursing gets laughs even towards the end and the kid is okay, I guess. But after the premise you know right away where things are headed - I was hoping for more.
Rated 29 Mar 2014
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 28 Mar 2014
73
33rd
It's surprising that the script & Bateman make the lead as watchable & semi-sympathetic as he is, given that the whole draw of a film like this (for those who crave a fictional film built around Don Rickles) is basically waiting for him to tear someone new a new ahole. Your level of enjoyment depends entirely on how many times you can be "shocked" into laughter by Bateman's excoriations & whether or not the presence of an only-in-the-movies 10-year-old who loves being verbally abused bugs you.
Rated 28 Mar 2014
stewballStewball
Rated 27 Mar 2014
90
93rd
Super, irreverent comedy, in large part because it's truly funny but not a sit-com, rom-com or potty-com; and surprisingly starring Jason Bateman, who I haven't been a particular fan of. I guess he just needed to be given his head, and a good script, and the director's chair. The kid is a hoot as well. I wasn't even going to see this gem until I noticed it was a Focus Features flick, which is my top rated purveyor of indies. And for those whose thin skin insists that they take offense her
Rated 27 Mar 2014
pluggedinPluggedIN
Rated 17 Mar 2014
10
4th
This flick may not be as scary as suffering from defecaloesiophobia or as painful as pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, but it comes close on both counts. (pluggedin.com)
Rated 17 Mar 2014

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