The story of Behaving Badly
Behaving Badly follows Rick Stevens, a teenage boy who's convinced that winning the heart of Nina Pennington is worth any humiliation or risk. That conviction gets tested fast. What starts as a straightforward crush spirals into a series of increasingly absurd obstacles: a horny best friend's mom who won't take no for an answer, a drug-abusing boss with questionable judgment, and—because why not—the mob itself. The film doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is: a teen sex comedy that prioritizes laughs over logic, and bad choices over character development. It's the kind of movie where the plot exists mainly as scaffolding for set pieces, one-liners, and the cast's willingness to look ridiculous on screen.
Behind the making of Behaving Badly
Behaving Badly arrived in 2014 as a film adaptation of Ric Browde's autobiographical novel While I'm Dead Feed the Dog, written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Tim Garrick. The project brought together a genuinely impressive ensemble. Nat Wolff, then riding momentum from the Fault in Our Stars orbit, anchors the film as Rick, while Selena Gomez plays his object of desire, Nina. But the real heavy lifting comes from the supporting cast—and this is where the film's DNA becomes clear. Mary-Louise Parker, Elisabeth Shue, Heather Graham, Jason Lee, Dylan McDermott, and Cary Elwes round out a roster that suggests someone greenlit this partly on the strength of who'd sign on. The film was produced by Starboard Entertainment, Mad Chance, and Voltage Pictures, and released direct-to-video-on-demand on July 1, 2014, before a limited theatrical bow on August 1. It's the kind of release pattern that doesn't scream confidence, though it's worth noting that 2014 was a different era for teen comedies finding their audience.
What makes Behaving Badly stand out
Here's the thing about Behaving Badly: it knows exactly what it is, and it commits. What's striking is how much the ensemble seems to be having fun—not in a self-aware, winking way, but in a genuinely loose, let's-see-what-we-can-get-away-with fashion. Elisabeth Shue, in particular, brings a frenetic, almost manic energy to her role that propels the film forward whenever the plot threatens to flatline. She's not phoning it in; she's present, playing it broad but with enough craft underneath that you believe she's a real character and not just a punchline. The film's 92-minute runtime works in its favor—there's no time to dwell on whether the premise makes sense or whether the humor has aged well. You're swept along. Audiences who don't mind a little risqué humor tend to find the whole enterprise charming, even if critics were less forgiving. The IMDb rating of 5.3/10 tells you this isn't a film trying to win over the gatekeepers, and that's almost refreshing. It's a movie for people who want to watch attractive actors get into ridiculous situations without pretending there's a deeper message lurking underneath.
Where to stream Behaving Badly online
Finding Behaving Badly is easier than it used to be, thanks to the sprawl of streaming options available today. The film is currently available on major OTT services—check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page to see which platforms in your region are carrying it right now. Since streaming rights shift seasonally and vary by territory, Movie OTT keeps that information updated so you don't have to hunt across five different apps. If you're a subscriber to one of the major services already, there's a decent chance Behaving Badly is sitting there waiting for you—it's the kind of mid-tier comedy that tends to have a permanent home somewhere on the streaming landscape.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is Behaving Badly based on a true story?
Yes, it's based on Ric Browde's autobiographical novel While I'm Dead Feed the Dog. The film adapts Browde's real experiences from his teenage years, though the movie cranks up the comedy and absurdity well beyond what might've actually happened.
Q: Who directed Behaving Badly?
Tim Garrick wrote and directed the film. It was his feature directorial debut, and he brought a loose, comedic sensibility to the material that prioritizes laughs over narrative coherence.
Q: What's the runtime of Behaving Badly?
The film clocks in at 92 minutes, which keeps things snappy and prevents any single scene from overstaying its welcome—important for a comedy that relies on momentum.
Q: Why did Behaving Badly go straight to video-on-demand first?
The film released on VOD on July 1, 2014, before a limited theatrical release on August 1. This was a common distribution strategy for mid-budget comedies at the time, allowing the film to reach streaming audiences while still attempting a theatrical window.
Q: Who stars in Behaving Badly?
Nat Wolff plays the lead role of Rick Stevens, with Selena Gomez as Nina Pennington. The ensemble includes Mary-Louise Parker, Elisabeth Shue, Heather Graham, Jason Lee, Dylan McDermott, and Cary Elwes.
Final thoughts on Behaving Badly
Behaving Badly isn't going to change your life or redefine the teen comedy genre. It's not trying to. What it will do is deliver 92 minutes of broad humor, game performances, and the kind of premise that only makes sense if you stop thinking about it halfway through. If you're in the mood for something that doesn't demand much beyond your attention and a willingness to laugh at ridiculous situations, it's worth a watch. The cast clearly had fun making it, and that lightness comes through on screen. Whether you'll feel the same way depends entirely on your tolerance for risqué humor and your appetite for films that'd rather entertain than impress.
