You probably remember the white bikini. Most people do. Back in 2014, when the Kate Upton movie The Other Woman hit theaters, that slow-motion jog on a Hamptons beach was basically all the marketing department needed to sell tickets. It was a moment that felt destined for a "Best Shirtless Performance" nomination at the MTV Movie Awards, which, honestly, it actually got. But if you look past the Sports Illustrated-style cinematography, there is a weirdly enduring legacy to this movie that most critics totally missed at the time.
It’s a revenge flick. It’s a "chick flick," if we’re still using that term in 2026. Basically, it’s about three very different women—the high-powered lawyer, the suburban housewife, and the "young one"—who realize they’re all being played by the same guy.
Why The Other Woman Was a Box Office Juggernaut
Critics absolutely trashed it. The New York Times called it "dumb" and "lazy." On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s sitting in that awkward "rotten" zone where movies usually go to die. Yet, it made nearly $200 million worldwide. Why? Because it tapped into a specific kind of female camaraderie that felt real, even if the plot involved putting laxatives in a guy’s drink and hair removal cream in his shampoo.
The movie stars Cameron Diaz as Carly, the lawyer who thinks she’s finally found a good man. Then there’s Leslie Mann as Kate, the wife who is a total nervous wreck but ends up being the comedic heart of the whole thing. Finally, we get Kate Upton as Amber. At the time, Upton was the "it" girl of the modeling world, and people were skeptical. Could she actually act?
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Honestly, she didn't need to be Meryl Streep. The script by Melissa Stack was smart enough to lean into Upton’s natural sweetness. Instead of making Amber a villainous "homewrecker," the movie makes her a victim of the same lies. When she finds out Mark (played with peak sleaze by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is married, she doesn't fight the other women. She joins them.
Behind the Scenes and Unexpected Casting
There’s some trivia most fans forget. Did you know Nicki Minaj is in this? She plays Carly’s assistant, Lydia, and she’s actually great. She delivers lines about "the perk of being pretty" with more conviction than most seasoned actors.
Then there’s the locations. The movie looks expensive because it was. They filmed in:
- Manhattan: Specifically high-end law offices and rooftop bars like The James Hotel.
- The Hamptons: This is where the infamous beach scenes happened, specifically around Westhampton.
- The Bahamas: The final act takes place at the Atlantis Paradise Island, where the trio tracks Mark down for the final showdown.
The chemistry between Diaz, Mann, and Upton wasn't just for the cameras. They’ve talked in interviews about how they actually hung out on set, which sort of bled into the performances. You can tell they’re having fun, especially in the scenes where they’re drinking wine and spying on Mark through binoculars.
The Kate Upton "Amber" Archetype
Amber is often dismissed as just "the boobs" (a line actually used in the film). But the character represents a specific shift in how these movies work. Usually, the "younger woman" is the enemy. Here, she’s just another person who got duped. Kate Upton played her with a sort of "clueless but kind" vibe that made the trio feel complete. It turned a potentially mean-spirited movie into a story about female solidarity.
What Really Happened with the Reception
There was a massive disconnect between male critics and the female audience. While critics were complaining about "cliché music" and "slapstick," women were flocking to the theater for Girls' Night Out. It won a Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie: Comedy, which tells you exactly who was actually watching it.
Cameron Diaz actually won a Golden Raspberry (Razzie) for Worst Actress for her role here (and in Sex Tape), which feels a bit harsh in retrospect. She wasn't bad; she was playing the "straight man" to Leslie Mann’s chaotic energy. Mann is the one who really carries the physical comedy.
Looking Back in 2026
Watching the Kate Upton movie The Other Woman today feels like a time capsule of the mid-2010s. It’s a world of bright colors, Patricia Field costumes (the same stylist from Sex and the City), and a pre-streaming era where a mid-budget comedy could still dominate the box office.
If you’re planning to revisit it, keep an eye out for:
- The Great Dane: The dog scenes provide some of the weirdest physical comedy in the movie.
- Don Johnson: He plays Carly’s dad and basically just plays a cooler version of himself.
- The Soundtrack: It’s loaded with Lorde and Iggy Azalea, which will trigger immediate nostalgia.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Movie Night
If you're looking for a film that doesn't require deep intellectual heavy lifting but offers genuine laughs, this is it. To get the most out of it:
- Watch it as a "Trio" Movie: Don't focus on just one lead. The movie works best when all three women are on screen together.
- Check out the Fashion: Patricia Field’s work here is underrated. Amber’s "cool girl" Hamptons style and Carly’s power suits are still relevant.
- Skip the Critical Reviews: If you want a masterpiece of cinema, look elsewhere. If you want a fun revenge story where the "cheater" gets exactly what's coming to him, press play.
The best way to enjoy it is to view it as a celebration of unlikely friendships. It’s not about the man; it’s about the women who realize they’re better off without him.