Overview
Incoming is a teen comedy film that premiered on Netflix in August 2024. It is the feature film debut of brothers Dave and John Chernin, who gained fame for writing on TV comedies like The Mick and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The movie seeks to recapture the messy, awkward, and unapologetically crude spirit of early 2000s high school comedies like Superbad, Project X, and American Pie.
Incoming’s runtime is a little over 90 minutes, and in that time, the film manages to explores the story of awkwardness of being a freshman in high school, overconfidence, and the disaster that follows in one’s quest for social acceptance through underage drinking, reckless partying, and bad decisions.
Plot Summary
The story centers on four high school freshmen, Benj, Eddie, Koosh, and Connor, who want to standout in their first year of high school. Benj is the protagonist of the story and is a socially awkward yet kind teen who faces a crush on Bailey, who happens to be the best friend of his older sister, Alyssa. The wannabe alpha of the group Koosh is eager to attend an epic party where he plans to lose his kissing virginity and in the process gain his older brothers respect, proving his manhood. Eddie and Connor are their loyal yet equally dazed friends who are in for a surprise.
Whenever Koosh’s older brother throws a massive house party, Benj always convinces him to invite them. For Benj, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to bond with Bailey, and for Koosh, a chance to gain the respect he craves. The end result is a chaotic, misadventurous night full of fighting older kids, bathroom mishaps, drunk underage partying, and endless social humiliation.
A particularly messy subplot centers on Katrina, a high school student who becomes violently drunk, passes out on a couch after throwing up on a Tesla—one of several pieces of chaotic physical comedy. While Eddie and Connor turn into the makeshift babysitters tasked with keeping her safe from prying eyes, the storyline becomes both tension-filled and comedic at the same time.
A recently divorced, increasingly unhinged Mr. Studebaker also adds to the madness. This chemistry teacher arrives at the party with his own bottle, doubling down on the drunken chaos. His interactions with the students and teachers blur ethical boundaries, showcasing some of the film’s most outrageous and shocking moments.
After a chaotic night where Bailey’s jealous ex-boyfriend fists Benj, he ends up in the hospital with a broken nose. He also battles giving up entirely. Eventually, he finds a little bit of resolve and during a pep rally, sings in a final, grand attempt to receive Bailey’s full attention. While not fully receptive, a wink of support from Bailey provides Benj a glimpse of hope.
Mr. Studebaker losing his job and friendships being strained are all consequences the film closes with. The boys, while far from being commended, learn a little more about themselves and how to navigate the chaotic world called high school.
Cast & Characters
Mason Thames portraying Benj, the freshman lead, is the awkward yet well-meaning outcast. The film is all the better for his sincere performance.
Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejandro, and Bardia Seiri play Eddie, Connor, and Koosh, showcasing the different aspects of teenage overconfidence and insecurity.
Isabella Ferreira plays Bailey, the older and kinder girl to Benj, who is Benj’s romantic suitor, not quite sure how to deal with the affection.
Benj’s older sister Alyssa is played by Ali Gallo, who shares the same emotional struggles as Benj.
Kaitlin Olson plays Ms. Nielsen, the flustered and devoted mom who is managing chaos at home.
Mr. Studebaker is played by Bobby Cannavale, who steals the show as the wildly irresponsible and eccentric teacher who is both a source of humor and a warning.
Tone and Style
The film’s tone is crude and caricaturized. It heavily draws from earlier teen films which were notorious for their gross-out humor, astringent sexcapades, and rapid-fire quips. There are extended scenes of vomiting, drinking, streaking, and awkward sexual encounters.
Cinematography vibrant and the pacing brisk, mimicking the style of contemporary Netflix comedies. The soundtrack combines modern pop hits and nostalgic tunes aimed at those who grew up with teenage comedies.
The film is set in contemporary times, but it plays with outdated stereotypes like the high school social pecking order and the significance of the big party as a coming-of-age milestone.
Critical Reception
The bold and comedic film has received mildly negative reviews. Critics even stated that the movie copies Superbad without the emotional connection that gives the movie life. It feels like the film tries to deliver one-liners in patches without technically putting deep thought into it. It instead tries to follow the wording and comedy of films that are rare in creativity.
People praised Thames and stated that he is really charming and relatable and even praised Cannavale for his peculiar role in the movie, in fact, most viewers see him as one of the most important people in the film. In fact, Cannavale’s role is actually pretty humorous, complicated, and truly unexpected.
The film has also been criticized for not keeping shallow character development. In fact, it has even received praise for expressing sensual and uncreative comedy. Some people see the arguments made in the review as depressing and simply left out important aspects of teenage life.
Teenagers and children received the movie with much less disappointment than older viewers. In fact, it is doubtful for older viewers truly want to see teenage comedy and awkwardness. It is supposed that people get satisfaction from perspective of both teens and adults regardless of their age.
Themes
Fundamentally, Incoming explores some classic teen movie themes:
Recognition and belonging: Every character needs acknowledgment and affirmation from someone — be it from siblings, classmates, or their love interests.
The all-consuming teen phase: The movie takes joy in the emotional and physical strife of early teenage years.
Disenchantment with ‘In-Crowd’ Status: Teenage popularity is often empty and disorderly, a chaotic illusion of self-worth, as evidenced in the how the party is portrayed as an incredible opportunity, yet proves devoid of any substance.
Rebellion and Authority: Mr. Studebaker embodies the adult gone rogue — the embodiment of what happens when authority figures stop maturing.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Great lead performance from Mason Thames.
Funny and sometimes heartfelt moments from Bobby Cannavale.
Eager youth and energetic pacing.
Reflects high school today but stays true to the genre’s roots.
Weaknesses:
Crude humor dialed too high.
Plot is predictable, and supporting characters are shallow.
Missed chances for exploration of meaningful emotions.
More of an imitation of better teen comedies than a fresh addition.
Conclusion
Incoming is a raunchy, fast-paced teen comedy aiming to channel the chaotic energy of early 2000s films like Superbad, but with mixed success. While the film earns some genuine laughs and features a charming lead and a solid supporting cast, the shallow script and humor that often teetered into the excessive bordered on flawless.
For those seeking a reckless, party-focused teen film with a few fleeting moments of genuine emotion, Incoming may be an effortless watch. However, for those hoping to find a new favorite in the coming-of-age genre, this film lands more like a stumble than a stride.
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