Bad Teacher

Elizabeth Halsey (Cameron Diaz), a disillusioned educator in suburban Chicago, has built a persona that's equal parts tough exterior and troubled soul. Her daily routine consists of cursing at her students, self-medicating with copious amounts of substances, and sipping on one too many drinks. In a desperate bid for financial security, she plans to tie the knot with her wealthy fiancé, but when he unceremoniously dumps her for her gold-digger tendencies, Elizabeth is forced to return to the very institution she'd grown to despise - her school.

As she navigates this new reality, Elizabeth sets her sights on charming substitute teacher Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake), a wealthy and charismatic individual who's also caught the eye of her colleague Amy Squirrell (Lucy Punch). Meanwhile, gym teacher Russell Gettis (Jason Segel) is making overtures towards Elizabeth, oblivious to her genuine distaste for his affections.

Desperate to revamp her image and secure Delacorte's attention, Elizabeth concocts a plan to get breast implants, convinced that physical transformation will win him over. However, the financial burden of such a procedure proves insurmountable, leaving Elizabeth feeling defeated and desperate.

As the school year progresses, Elizabeth becomes increasingly creative in her attempts to impress Delacorte, from participating in a cringe-worthy 7th-grade car wash fundraiser to manipulating parents into supporting her "extra care" program. Despite her best efforts, she's met with rejection at every turn, and Delacorte's affections remain firmly fixed on Squirrell.

Amy, determined to sabotage Elizabeth's chances with Delacorte, sets out to discredit her by revealing Elizabeth's impending breast augmentation plans. When Delacorte confronts Elizabeth about his feelings for Amy, she retaliates by portraying Amy as a shallow gold-digger who's only interested in Delacorte's wealth.

In an attempt to redeem herself and win over Delacorte, Elizabeth undergoes a drastic transformation, abandoning her lazy teaching style and throwing herself into the world of education. She becomes obsessed with boosting her students' state scores, pouring all her energy into their academic success. Despite her best efforts, however, the numbers remain stubbornly low.

As Elizabeth's desperation reaches new heights, she finds an unlikely ally in Gettis, the school's well-meaning but awkward gym teacher. Meanwhile, Squirrell and Delacorte begin to realize their feelings for each other, leaving Elizabeth heartbroken and alone. The once-disillusioned educator is now forced to confront the reality of her own failures, both personal and professional.

As Amy witnesses Elizabeth's clandestine smoking habit in the parking lot, Principal Snubs remains impervious to the situation, refusing to take action without concrete evidence. Meanwhile, he cautions Amy to keep her emotions in check regarding Elizabeth, a subtle reminder of her tumultuous past when her emotions got the better of her in 2008.

In a bold move, Halsey decides to pilfer the state exam by masquerading as a journalist investigating racial bias. When the examiner in charge hesitates due to protocol, she resorts to clever manipulation, using her charms to seduce and drug him before stealing the exam from his office. As added insurance against being caught, she captures compromising evidence on film.

A month later, Halsey's efforts pay off when she receives a substantial bonus, which she promptly uses to fund her long-awaited breast enhancement surgery.

When Elizabeth learns about an upcoming field trip with Delacorte and Squirrell as chaperones, she seizes the opportunity to exact revenge. Donning white latex gloves, she carefully places a poison ivy-infused apple on Squirrell's desk, rendering the teacher unable to participate in the trip. Halsey takes her place, using the occasion to seduce Delacorte while they're fully clothed - an embarrassing discovery for Squirrell when she stumbles upon a compromising voicemail left by Halsey.

The incident prompts Squirrell to reflect on her own superficiality and offer guidance to one of her students struggling with his unrequited crush. Her words of wisdom prompt her to ponder her own superficial relationships, past and present.

Upon discovering the incriminating message, Squirrell switches desks with Halsey's, hoping to find evidence that Elizabeth won the bonus unfairly. After gaining access to Elizabeth's desk, she uncovers a clue pointing to the examiner in charge, who reveals that Elizabeth had met with him in disguise, seeking to obtain the exam before it was administered.

As Squirrell discloses the incriminating evidence she discovered, a crucial meeting is convened between Halsey and the principal, with the superintendent in attendance. Meanwhile, Elizabeth cleverly leverages her blackmail potential, threatening to expose compromising photographs of the testing administrator caught in compromising positions during his moments of vulnerability. Her gambit pays off, as she successfully deflects suspicion by accusing certain teachers of indulging in illicit substances. Unbeknownst to Halsey, Amy has discreetly switched their lesson plans, resulting in a surprise discovery when the police search Squirrell's classroom: drugs are found on Halsey's desk, leading authorities to mistakenly assume that she is the school's drug-using teacher.

With Squirrell relocated to another institution by order of the superintendent, Delacorte attempts to reignite the sparks between him and Halsey. However, Halsey politely declines, having recently come to realize that her connection with Gettis offers a more genuine and fulfilling relationship due to his down-to-earth nature, which serves as a stark contrast to her own superficial tendencies.

As the new academic year unfolds, it becomes clear that Halsey has chosen not to pursue breast enhancement surgery, content with her natural appearance. Her demeanor also undergoes a subtle shift, as she displays increased kindness towards her colleagues. Moreover, Halsey decides to trade in her English teaching role for a new challenge: becoming the school's Guidance Councillor. This transformation serves as a testament to her growth and newfound priorities, as she embarks on this fresh chapter of her life alongside Gettis, with whom she has formed a romantic connection.