{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{Infobox film | name = Support the Girls | image = Support the Girls.png | alt = <!-- see WP:ALT --> | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Andrew Bujalski | producer = {{Plainlist| * Houston King * Sam Slater }} | writer = Andrew Bujalski | starring = {{Plainlist| * Regina Hall * Haley Lu Richardson * James LeGros * Shayna McHayle * Dylan Gelula * AJ Michalka * Brooklyn Decker * Jana Kramer * Lea DeLaria }} | music = | cinematography = Matthias Grunsky | editing = Karen Skloss | studio = {{Plainlist| * Burn Later Productions * Houston King Productions }} | distributor = Magnolia Pictures | released = {{film date|2018|3|9|SXSW|2018|8|24|United States}} | runtime = 91 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = $132,288<ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title= Support The Girls (2018) - Financial Information |url= https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Support-The-Girls-(2018)#tab=summary |website= The Numbers |accessdate= September 13, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Support the Girls (2018) |url= https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=supportthegirls.htm |website= Box Office Mojo |accessdate= November 27, 2018 }}</ref> }} '''''Support the Girls''''' is a 2018 American comedy film written and directed by Andrew Bujalski. It stars Regina Hall, Haley Lu Richardson, James LeGros, Shayna McHayle, Dylan Gelula, AJ Michalka, Brooklyn Decker, Jana Kramer, John Elvis, Lea DeLaria, and Victor Isaac Perez.
The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 9, 2018, and was theatrically released on August 24, 2018, by Magnolia Pictures. It received positive reviews from critics, with Hall's performance earning particular praise. Hall earned nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Independent Film Awards and won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress, the first African-American to win the award.
== Plot == Lisa is the general manager of the sports bar and breastaurant Double Whammies. She takes her job seriously, protecting her employees from inappropriate or rude interactions with customers. Despite her commitment to the restaurant, her incompetent boss, Ben Cubby, has repeatedly threatened to fire her. His ire is provoked when Lisa has her employees host an off-the-books car wash to raise money for an employee, Shaina, who has hit her abusive boyfriend with her car and is staying at Lisa's house.
Despite Lisa's optimism, the day proves challenging: she has potential new employees to try out; an attempted robbery results in a man becoming stuck in a ventilation duct; one of her most trusted employees, Maci, turns out to be secretly dating a much older patron; another, Danyelle, is a single mother struggling with child care for her son; another gets a large tattoo of Steph Curry on her midsection despite tattoos being forbidden on employees; the bar is trying to get its cable fixed in time for a big fight that night; business is threatened by ManCave, another breastaurant developing in the area; and Lisa is separating from her depressed husband, Cameron. After Cubby scares Lisa during an episode of road rage, she calls Cameron for a ride.
Cubby fires Lisa and she forces herself to leave. When she returns home she learns from Shaina that Cameron has moved out. Shaina reveals that she is back together with her boyfriend and will use the fundraising money to pay his hospital bills. Furious, Lisa forces her to return the money. That night during the big fight, Maci and Danyelle, frustrated by the loss of Lisa, sabotage the cable in protest, leading to an awkward and tense scene with the customers and an off duty police officer. Danyelle and Maci are fired soon after.
The next day, Lisa, Maci, and Danyelle interview with ManCave. The interviewer tells Lisa that ManCave waitresses are unintelligent and easily replaced. Lisa, Maci and Danyelle sit on the rooftop drinking liquor stolen from Double Whammies and contemplate their future employment before letting out cathartic screams.
== Cast == {{Cast listing| <!---Opening credits order---> * Regina Hall as Lisa Conroy * Haley Lu Richardson as Maci * James LeGros as Ben Cubby * Shayna McHayle as Danyelle * Dylan Gelula as Jennelle * AJ Michalka as Krista * Brooklyn Decker as Kara O'Shanahan * Jana Kramer as Shaina * John Elvis as Jay * Lea DeLaria as Bobo <!---End credits (in order of appearance)---> * Zoe Graham as Taylor * Ann McCaskey as Reagan * Elizabeth Trieu as Yejin * Krista Hayes as Donnette * Jermichael Gray as McKray * Victor Isaac Perez as Isaac * Sam Stinson as Chris * Jonny Mars as Mark * Steve Zapata as Arturo * Bill Wise as Grady * Lawrence Varnado as Cameron Conroy * Kat Rogers as Jacqui }}
== Production == In May 2017, it was announced Haley Lu Richardson, James LeGros, Regina Hall, AJ Michalka, Dylan Gelula, Junglepussy, Lea DeLaria, Jana Kramer, and Brooklyn Decker had joined the cast of the film, with Andrew Bujalski directing from a screenplay he wrote. Sam Slater and Houston King served as producers on the film, under their Burn Later Productions and Houston King Productions banners, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/support-the-girls-movie-regina-hall-haley-lu-richardson-andrew-bujalski-1202081557/|title=Regina Hall & Haley Lu Richardson Topline Andrew Bujalski's Indie 'Support The Girls'|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=May 2, 2017|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefilmstage.com/news/andrew-bujalski-begins-next-film-support-the-girls-starring-haley-lu-richardson-regina-hall-more/|first=Jordan|last=Raup|title=Andrew Bujalski Begins Next Film 'Support the Girls' Starring Haley Lu Richardson, Regina Hall & More|date=May 4, 2017|website=The Film Stage|accessdate=August 26, 2017}}</ref>
=== Filming === Principal photography began in May 2017 in Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/regina-hall-haley-lu-richardson-join-support-the-girls/5117336.article/|title=Regina Hall, Haley Lu Richardson join 'Support The Girls'|first=Elbert|last=Wyche|website=Screen Daily|publisher=Screen International|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=August 26, 2017}}</ref>
== Release == The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 9, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/sxsw-film-festival-2018-lineup-full-list-1202682389/|title=SXSW Film Festival Lineup Unveiled, John Krasinski's 'A Quiet Place' Set as Opener|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=January 31, 2018|work=Variety|publisher=Penske Business Media|access-date=February 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://schedule.sxsw.com/2018/films/122679|title=Support the Girls|website=SXSW Schedule|publisher=South by Southwest|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> Shortly after, Magnolia Pictures acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/support-the-girls-movie-sxsw-deal-release-date-magnolia-pictures-1202314869/|title=SXSW Comedy 'Support The Girls' Scooped Up By Magnolia Ahead Of Austin Premiere|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=March 7, 2018|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref> The film was theatrically released on August 24, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.magpictures.com/supportthegirls/|title=Support the Girls|publisher=Magnolia Pictures|accessdate=April 14, 2018}}</ref>
== Reception == On Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, and an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads, "''Support the Girls'' handles serious themes—and a talented ensemble cast—with wit and humor, all while proving Regina Hall's talents have been woefully underutilized."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/support_the_girls|title=Support the Girls (2018)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}</ref> On Metacritic the film has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/support-the-girls |title=Support the Girls Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>
David Fear wrote in ''Rolling Stone'', "You could not ask for a better image of our country right now. You could not ask for a better American film to showcase it."<ref>{{cite magazine| date = August 24, 2018| last1 = Fear | first1 = David| title = 'Support the Girls' Review: The Great American Breastaraunt Movie Has Arrived | magazine = Rolling Stone | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/support-the-girls-movie-review-713122/ | access-date = August 28, 2018 }}</ref> Former President Barack Obama named the film one of his favorite movies of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/barack-obama-shares-his-favorite-2018-movies-books-songs-t145983|title=Former President Obama reveals his favorite movies and books from 2018|website=TODAY.com|date=28 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Br7ziuvgzCf/?img_index=2 |title=Favorite Movies of 2018 |website=Instagram|zugriff=2025-02-07}}</ref>
=== Accolades === {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 99%" |- ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Date of ceremony ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Recipient(s) ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- ! African-American Film Critics Association | December 11, 2018 | African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress | Best Actress | Regina Hall | {{Won}} | |- ! Americana Film Fest | March 5–10, 2019 | Tops | Andrew Bujalski | {{nom}} | |- ! rowspan="2"|Austin Film Critics Association | rowspan="2"|January 7, 2019 | Best Actress | Regina Hall | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Whittaker |first1=Richard |title=Austin Film Critics Association Announces 2018's Best Films and More |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2019-01-07/austin-film-critics-association-announces-2018s-best-films-and-more/ |accessdate=February 3, 2020 |work=Austin Chronicle |date=January 7, 2019}}</ref> |- | Austin Film Award | Andrew Bujalski | {{won}} |- ! Black Reel Awards | February 7, 2019 | Best Actress | Regina Hall | {{Runner-up}} | |- ! rowspan="2"|Boston Online Film Critics Association | rowspan="2"|December 12, 2018 | Best Ensemble | The cast of ''Support the Girls'' | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |title=2018 AWARDS |url=http://bofca.com/2018-awards/ |accessdate= February 3, 2020 |work=BOFCA |date=December 12, 2018}}</ref> |- | Ten Best Films of the Year | ''Support the Girls'' | {{no|7th Place}} |- ! Chicago Film Critics Association | December 8, 2018 | Best Actress | rowspan="2"|Regina Hall | {{nom}} | |- ! rowspan="2"|Chlotrudis Awards | rowspan="2"|March 17, 2019 | Best Actress | {{won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |title=2019, 25th Annual Awards |url=http://chlotrudis.org/2019-25th-annual-awards/#actress |accessdate=February 3, 2020 |work=Austin Chronicle |date=March 17, 2019}}</ref> |- | Buried Treasure | ''Support the Girls'' | {{won}} |- ! Florida Film Critics Circle | December 21, 2018 | Best Cast | The cast of ''Support The Girls'' | {{Runner-up}} | |- ! Gijón International Film Festival | November 19–26, 2018 | Best Film | ''Support the Girls'' | {{nom}} | |- ! rowspan="2"|Gotham Awards | rowspan="2"|November 26, 2018 | Best Actress | Regina Hall | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wagmeister |first1=Elizabeth |title=Gotham Awards: A24 Sweeps With Five Wins, Including 'First Reformed,' 'Eighth Grade' (Full Winners List) |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/gotham-awards-winners-list-2018-new-york-1203037073/ |accessdate=November 27, 2018 |work=Variety |date=November 26, 2018}}</ref> |- | Best Screenplay | rowspan="2"|Andrew Bujalski | {{nom}} |- ! Houston Film Critics Society Awards | January 3, 2019 | Visionary Award | {{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darling |first=Cary |date=2019-01-04 |title='The Favourite,' 'Roma' tie as Houston Film Critics' favorite films |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/movies_tv/article/The-Favourite-Roma-tie-as-Houston-13507756.php |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! Independent Spirit Awards | February 23, 2019 | Best Female Lead | rowspan="2"|Regina Hall | {{Nominated}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/11/2019-independent-spirit-awards-nominations-1202021241/|title=2019 Independent Spirit Awards Nominees: 'Eighth Grade' & 'We the Animals' Lead|first=Kate |last=Erbland |accessdate=November 27, 2018 |date=November 16, 2018 |website=IndieWire}}</ref> |- ! International Online Cinema Awards | February 23, 2019 | Best Actress | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://awardswatch.com/the-favourite-tops-17th-international-online-cinema-awards-inoca/|title='The Favourite' tops 17th International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA)|first=Erik |last=Anderson |accessdate=February 3, 2020 |date=February 23, 2019 |website=AwardsWatch}}</ref> |- ! Motovun Film Festival | July 23–27, 2019 | Best Film | Andrew Bujalski | {{nom}} | |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| National Society of Film Critics | rowspan="1"| January 5, 2019 | Best Actress | rowspan="4"|Regina Hall | {{Runner-up}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=2019-01-05 |title=National Society Of Film Critics Names Chloe Zhao's 'The Rider' As Best Picture |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/national-society-of-film-critics-the-rider-chloe-zao-1202529467/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| New York Film Critics Circle | rowspan="1"| November 29, 2018 | Best Actress | {{Won}} | rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sharf |first1=Zach |title=2018 New York Film Critics Circle Awards|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/11/new-york-film-critics-circle-2018-awards-winners-1202023917/|website=IndieWire |accessdate=November 29, 2018 |date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! Online Film Critics Society Awards | January 2, 2019 | Best Actress | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |date=January 2, 2019 |title=2018 Awards (22nd Annual) |url=https://ofcs.org/awards/2018-awards-22nd-annual/ |accessdate=February 3, 2020 |website=OFCS}}</ref> |- ! San Francisco Film Critics Circle | December 9, 2018 | Best Actress | {{nom}} | |- ! Sarasota Film Festival | April 13–22, 2018 | Narrative Feature | Andrew Bujalski | {{nom}} | |- ! Seattle Film Critics Society | December 17, 2018 | Best Actress | Regina Hall | {{nom}} | |- ! SXSW Film Festival | March 9–18, 2018 | Narrative Spotlight | Andrew Bujalski | {{nom}} | |- ! Toronto Film Critics Association | December 9, 2018 | Best Actress | rowspan="2"|Regina Hall | {{nom}} | |- ! scope="row" rowspan="1"| Vancouver Film Critics Circle | rowspan="1"| December 17, 2018 | Best Actress | {{Won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2018-12-14 |title='The Favourite' Leads Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/favourite-leads-vancouver-film-critics-circle-awards-nominations-1169507/ |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}} * {{Mojo title}}
{{Andrew Bujalski}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Support the Girls}} Category:2018 films Category:2018 American films Category:2018 comedy films Category:2018 independent films Category:2018 English-language films Category:2010s female buddy films Category:2010s feminist films Category:American buddy comedy films Category:American female buddy films Category:American feminist comedy films Category:American independent films Category:English-language buddy comedy films Category:English-language independent films Category:Films directed by Andrew Bujalski Category:Films set in restaurants Category:Films set in Texas Category:Films shot in Austin, Texas