Behaving Badly

Rick Stevens is a high school kid set on winning Nina Pennington's heart, but his plan is tangled in a web of chaotic adults and bad decisions. He faces a flirtatious best friend who happens to be the mom, a boss who uses drugs, and a shadowy underworld that keeps crashing his schemes. As mishaps pile up, the line between fantasy and reality blurs, turning every attempt at romance into a comic obstacle course. Rick learns that getting the girl requires nerves, timing and a little luck, all while staying one step ahead of the people who want nothing to do with his ideals of love. It keeps the mood light with rapid dialogue and pratfalls that land often too.

Directed by Tim Garrick, Behaving Badly is based on an original screenplay by Scott Russell and Ric Browde, released in 2014. The cast pairs Nat Wolff with Selena Gomez in a comedy that leans into teen energy and sunny humor.

With a limited theatrical run, Behaving Badly grossed 422,697 dollars, reflecting modest distribution and a niche audience for this cheeky teen caper. Its box office mirrors a small but loyal fan base rather than broad appeal across the general public.

Critics treated the film as a breezy, fast moving teen comedy that emphasizes timing and cast chemistry over heavy stakes. It probes how first love intersects with adult chaos, and how a shy underdog negotiates reputations, risk, and the lure of romance, without taking itself too seriously.

Two of the film's standout features are Nat Wolff and Selena Gomez, whose pairing drew attention from teen and young adult viewers. The film sits among mid 2010s youth comedies that capitalized on familiar faces to anchor lighthearted stories, a strategy that shaped release plans for other titles.