Hulu’s upcoming original film Summer of 69 follows a socially awkward high school senior who turns to an exotic dancer for help winning over her longtime crush. The comedy, directed by Jillian Bell, begins streaming May 9 and had its premiere at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in March.
The film stars Sam Morelos as Abby, a shy and inexperienced teen preparing to graduate. When she learns that her crush, Max (Matt Cornett), is finally single, she enlists the help of Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman), a dancer at the local strip club Diamond Dolls. The trailer opens with Abby narrating, “Every person on earth was more sexually experienced than me — and then everything changed.” She later describes Santa Monica as her “sexual fairy godmother.”
Fineman plays Santa Monica as confident and impulsive, with a personal stake in the outcome of her lessons. The club where she works is in danger of being taken over, and she agrees to help Abby in exchange for assistance keeping it afloat. Their arrangement gradually develops into a friendship as both characters confront different challenges in their lives.
Cornett’s character Max is portrayed as easygoing and likable, unaware of Abby’s longstanding feelings. As she begins her transformation with Santa Monica’s coaching, Abby sets out to overcome the social insecurities that have defined her high school experience.
Bell makes her feature directorial debut with Summer of 69, co-writing the script alongside Liz Nico and Jules Byrne. Bell also appears among the producing team, which includes Jeremy Garelick, Will Phelps, Molle DeBartolo, Breanna Bell-Singer, Matt Skiena, Adam Goodman, and Lucas Carter.
The supporting cast features a group of performers tied to the club storyline. Nicole Byer plays Destiny, described as the dependable older sister figure among the dancers. Liza Koshy appears as Angel, a cheerful club regular with a lighthearted attitude. Paula Pell plays Betty, the club’s veteran owner, whose loyalty to her dancers is tested by financial pressure and the looming threat of foreclosure.
Charlie Day plays Rick Richards, a predatory figure who seeks to take control of the club. His scenes contrast with those of DJ Don, portrayed by Alex Moffat, who offers consistent support to the dancers. Natalie Morales appears as Robin Goode, a former classmate of Santa Monica’s now planning their high school reunion. The character is presented as a reminder of expectations and unresolved comparisons from the past.
Abby’s transformation is structured around the lessons she receives from Santa Monica, who guides her through a series of awkward, sometimes chaotic experiences. The trailer includes a scene where Abby proclaims, “I am a sex machine,” to which Santa Monica responds, “Yes, bitch! There she is.”
Fineman, a current cast member on Saturday Night Live, has previously appeared in Babylon, Megalopolis, and provides a voice in Despicable Me 4. She also appears in this year’s upcoming Freakier Friday. Morelos is known for her role in That ’90s Show.
Bell has built a resume in comedy, with acting credits that include 22 Jump Street, Brittany Runs a Marathon, Candy Cane Lane, and Murder Mystery 2. Summer of 69 marks her first feature as director.
The story shifts between Abby’s attempts to get closer to Max and Santa Monica’s efforts to prevent the club from closing. While the two begin their arrangement focused on separate goals, their lives begin to overlap more closely. The mentorship gradually becomes a friendship that affects both of them in unexpected ways.
Summer of 69 will be available to stream on Hulu starting May 9.
