From Fast Times At Ridgemont High in the 80s and American Pie in the 90s to Superbad in the 2000s, films that blend raunchy comedy with teen coming-of-age themes have proven timeless. They captivate new generations of young people growing up, navigating the awkwardness of adolescence and exploring their burgeoning interest in the opposite sex. These films have a way of tapping into the universal experiences of teenage life, using humour to highlight the absurdities of growing up.
Incoming, directed by brothers Dave and John Chernin, known for their adult sitcom hit It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, is the latest addition to this well-worn genre. The film aims to combine humour with the sweetness of a coming-of-age story, but it struggles to find its footing in a saturated market. Despite its ambitions, Incoming fails to deliver the balance of laughs and heartfelt moments that made its predecessors so iconic.
The movie follows four high school freshmen -- Benj Nielsen (Mason Thames), Connor (Raphael Alejandro), Eddie (Ramon Reed) and Koosh (Bardia Seiri) -- as they navigate their first week of high school. They quickly become fixated on making an impression at the biggest house party of the year, hoping this will cement their place in the social hierarchy of their new environment. Each member of the group faces the typical teenage dilemmas, from unrequited love and identity crises to social pressures and the quest for popularity, all while trying to have fun along the way.
The premise, while familiar, presents the usual narrative of a group of nerdy, socially awkward kids who are suddenly presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the cool crowd. The promise of a wild, rowdy house party -- complete with alcohol, drugs, romantic encounters and general mayhem -- serves as the backdrop for their journey of self-discovery.
Benj, the film's main character, is infatuated with his crush Bailey (Isabella Ferreira), setting the stage for the typical romantic subplot. His friends have their own unique goals: Connor, nicknamed Fetus due to his small stature, is desperate to lose this embarrassing moniker; Koosh wants to impress his older brother and prove his maturity; and Eddie is just trying to survive his first high school party without humiliating himself.
Despite the potential for a fun, nostalgic trip down memory lane, Incoming falls flat in several key areas. The humour, while occasionally hitting the mark, often feels forced and outdated. The film seems to be trying too hard to emulate the success of classics like Superbad and American Pie, but it lacks the originality and charm that made those films memorable. Instead, it relies heavily on recycled jokes and scenarios that audiences have seen countless times before. This lack of fresh perspective makes the film feel more like a rehash than a new take on the genre.
A significant issue with Incoming is its character development. The protagonists are largely one-dimensional and their motivations are shallow. Benj's infatuation with Bailey, for example, is cliched and lacks depth, making it hard for the audience to root for him. While the actors deliver adequate performances, they fail to elevate their roles beyond stereotypes.
Their characters feel like watered-down versions of more dynamic roles from better films, without the charm, depth or originality to bring anything new to the table. Even the supporting characters, such as the eccentric science teacher Mr Studebaker (played by Bobby Cannavale), seem out of place and fail to add meaningful depth to the story, though they do provide a few sporadic laughs.
From left, Raphael Alejandro, Mason Thames, Ramon Reed and Bardia Seiri in Incoming. NETFLI
The film's pacing further hampers its success. The plot meanders through a series of predictable and uninspired set pieces, failing to build any real momentum. The party scenes, which should serve as the film's highlight, are repetitive and lack the energy needed to keep the audience engaged. The attempts at gross humour and cringe-worthy moments often miss the mark, feeling like pale imitations of scenes from more successful teen comedies. These sequences are not only predictable but also lack the creativity needed to make them stand out in a genre that thrives on pushing boundaries.
The movie also struggles to balance its raunchy humour with more touching, emotional moments. In trying to blend these two elements, the film fails to fully realise either. The comedic scenes often fall flat, lacking the sharp wit or cleverness needed to resonate with audiences, while the attempts at heartfelt moments feel contrived and unconvincing. This imbalance leaves the film feeling disjointed, as it never fully commits to being either a raunchy comedy or a sincere coming-of-age story.
Incoming is unfortunately a dissatisfing addition to Netflix's catalogue of high school comedies. It struggles to find its footing, relying too heavily on things we've already seen before, and failing to deliver the laughs and emotional depth that could have made it a decent movie. If you're a die hard fan of the genre, you might find a few moments of enjoyment in this movie, but don't expect anything original or memorable here.
Incoming
Starring Mason Thames, Isabella Ferreira, Bobby Cannavale
Directed by Dave Chernin, John Chernin
Now streaming on Netflix
