Introduction
Incoming is Netflix’s latest attempt to capture the chaotic energy of high school life through a raunchy, R-rated lens. This film, from the creators of FX’s “The Mick,” follows the misadventures of four freshmen—Benj, Koosh, Eddie, and Connor—as they navigate the tumultuous waters of their first big high school party. While the premise promises wild antics and a nostalgic throwback to the beloved teen comedies of the past, the execution leaves much to be desired.
The movie kicks off with high hopes, introducing us to a group of boys each with their own agenda: impressing siblings, catching the eye of a crush, and shaking off the labels of being “lame.” However, as the night progresses, the film’s true nature unfolds—an experience that’s all flash with little substance.
Unlike its genre predecessors like Superbad and American Pie, which masterfully balance humor with heartfelt connections between characters, Incoming falls short. The friendships feel underdeveloped, and the plot struggles to maintain momentum, with humor that often misses the mark. Despite this, there are moments that shine, thanks largely to the cast, particularly Mason Thames and Bobby Cannavale, who inject much-needed life into their roles. But even their efforts can’t fully salvage a film that seems more interested in ticking off the usual teen comedy tropes than in telling a compelling story.
The Plot: A Familiar Setup with Little Payoff
Incoming, Netflix’s latest attempt at a raunchy teen comedy, presents a narrative that revolves around four freshmen—Benj, Koosh, Eddie, and Connor—as they navigate the turbulent waters of their first week in high school. The plot is driven by their determination to make a lasting impression during a massive party hosted by Koosh’s older brother. Each friend comes with their own unique mission: Koosh is desperate to impress his older brother by hooking up with a senior, Benj is eager to win the heart of his sister’s best friend Bailey, and Eddie and Connor are determined to prove they aren’t the pushovers everyone assumes them to be.
However, as the night unfolds, their meticulously laid plans begin to unravel, leading them into a series of chaotic misadventures. These include mishaps involving drugs, physical altercations, and even a dramatic hospital visit. Despite this setup, which holds significant promise for an engaging and humorous narrative, the film’s execution unfortunately falls short. It fails to deliver the high-stakes, laugh-out-loud moments that are essential for a successful teen comedy, leaving the audience underwhelmed.
Character Development: A Missed Opportunity
One of the most glaring issues with Incoming is its significant lack of character development, which is a crucial element in creating a compelling story. Unlike classic teen comedies such as Superbad and Booksmart, which carefully and effectively build the relationships between their characters, Incoming seems to rush headlong into the party scene without giving viewers the opportunity to understand and connect with its main characters.
The friendships between Benj, Koosh, Eddie, and Connor feel shallow and underdeveloped, with the film offering little to no insight into what truly drives these characters or what their relationships mean to each other. For example, Benj’s interest in Bailey is mentioned briefly, but the film never takes the time to explore this subplot in any meaningful way. This lack of development makes their interactions feel superficial and unconvincing, preventing the audience from forming any emotional attachment to the characters. This is a missed opportunity, as deeper character development could have added much-needed depth and emotional resonance to the film, making it more engaging and memorable.
Humor That Misses the Mark
For a film that positions itself as a raunchy, R-rated comedy, Incoming is surprisingly tame and lacks the boldness required to stand out in a crowded genre. The humor in the film, which includes scenarios involving accidental drug use, awkward social encounters, and gross-out moments like a drunken diarrhea incident, fails to push boundaries or offer anything fresh and exciting to the audience. Instead, the film relies heavily on tired clichés and low-stakes scenarios that fail to elicit strong reactions from viewers.
The jokes often fall flat, lacking the sharpness and wit that are necessary for truly memorable comedy. As a result, Incoming comes across as a missed opportunity, offering little more than fleeting moments of amusement. The film’s inability to deliver consistent laughs or memorable comedic moments ultimately undermines its effectiveness as a teen comedy and leaves the audience wanting more.
The Cast: A Shining Light in a Dim Film
Despite its numerous flaws, Incoming does benefit from a talented and capable cast, which is one of the few redeeming qualities of the film. Mason Thames, who portrays Benj, and Isabella Ferreira, who plays Bailey, manage to bring a certain level of charm and likability to their roles, making their scenes somewhat enjoyable to watch, even when the script falls short.
Their performances inject some much-needed personality into the otherwise lackluster film. However, the true standout performance comes from Bobby Cannavale, who plays Mr. Studebaker, a well-meaning but deeply misguided science teacher. Cannavale’s portrayal adds depth, humor, and a touch of authenticity to the film, making his character the most relatable and engaging of the entire cast. His ability to balance physical comedy with emotional vulnerability makes Mr. Studebaker the most memorable character in Incoming, providing the film with its few genuinely entertaining moments. Cannavale’s performance is a testament to his skill as an actor, and his portrayal of Mr. Studebaker is one of the few aspects of the film that manages to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Watch Incoming on Netflix If You Liked:
If you are a fan of teen comedies that blend raunchy humor with coming-of-age themes, you might still find some enjoyment in Incoming. The film draws inspiration from several successful movies in the genre, and while it doesn’t quite live up to the standards set by its predecessors, it shares some thematic similarities with the following films:
- Superbad: Like Incoming, this film focuses on the misadventures of high school friends trying to navigate a chaotic night, though it does so with much more heart and humor.
- Good Boys: This movie also features young characters getting into trouble in an attempt to prove themselves, but it manages to strike a better balance between humor and emotional depth.
- Bottoms: Another film that blends high school antics with bold humor, though with a more polished and engaging execution than Incoming.
- Booksmart: If you appreciate teen comedies that combine humor with insightful character development, Booksmart is a far superior choice, though Incoming attempts to explore similar themes.
MVP of Incoming
Bobby Cannavale as Mr. Studebaker
Bobby Cannavale’s performance as Mr. Studebaker is easily the highlight of Incoming and deserves special recognition. In a film that often struggles to find its footing, Cannavale’s portrayal of Mr. Studebaker brings a level of authenticity and comedic timing that the rest of the movie sorely lacks. His character, a science teacher who is well-meaning but consistently misguided, provides some of the film’s most memorable moments.
Cannavale excels in balancing the physical comedy required for the role with the emotional depth that makes Mr. Studebaker a relatable and sympathetic character. His scenes, which range from trying to connect with his students to his hilariously misguided attempts to impress others, are some of the few bright spots in an otherwise dim movie. Cannavale’s performance not only adds much-needed humor and heart to Incoming but also serves as a reminder of the potential that the film had but ultimately failed to realize. His portrayal of Mr. Studebaker is a testament to his talent as an actor and is undoubtedly the most compelling reason to watch Incoming.
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Conclusion
Incoming sets out to capture the chaotic energy and wild antics of high school life, but unfortunately falls short in delivering a memorable experience. Despite a promising premise and a talented cast, the film struggles to establish meaningful connections between its characters, leaving viewers disengaged from their journey. The humor, while aiming for raunchy and outrageous, feels surprisingly tame, and the low stakes rob the film of the tension that makes teen comedies truly resonate. However, there are moments of brightness, particularly in Bobby Cannavale’s performance as Mr. Studebaker, which adds a much-needed layer of depth and humor.
Ultimately, Incoming may appeal to a younger audience looking for light entertainment, but it lacks the substance and heart that define the best in its genre. While it tries to emulate the success of films like Superbad and Booksmart, it ends up feeling like a pale imitation rather than a fresh take on the genre. For those seeking a teen comedy with real emotional impact, there are better options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the basic plot of “Incoming”?
“Incoming” revolves around four freshmen – Benj, Koosh, Eddie, and Connor – as they attempt to make their mark during their first week of high school by attending a huge party. However, their night spirals out of control due to various mishaps, highlighting the chaos of teenage life.
2. How does “Incoming” compare to other teen comedies like “Superbad” or “Booksmart”?
Unlike classics like “Superbad” or “Booksmart,” “Incoming” struggles to establish meaningful character relationships or compelling stakes. It feels more like a series of outrageous moments without the emotional depth found in those other films.
3. Is “Incoming” suitable for all audiences?
No, “Incoming” is an R-rated comedy with mature themes such as drug use, alcohol, and raunchy humor. It’s targeted towards an older teen and adult audience rather than younger viewers.
4. Who is the standout character in “Incoming”?
Bobby Cannavale’s portrayal of Mr. Studebaker, the try-hard science teacher, is the highlight of the film. His character is both humorous and relatable, providing some of the few genuine moments in the movie.
5. Does “Incoming” offer any memorable comedic moments?
While the film attempts to be funny through outrageous situations, many of the comedic moments fall flat due to a lack of cleverness and stakes. Some scenes may evoke mild laughter, but they are unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
6. What are the main criticisms of “Incoming”?
The main criticisms of “Incoming” are its lack of character development, thin plot, and reliance on clichés. The film feels more like a superficial attempt to replicate successful teen comedies without the heart and depth.
7. Is there any emotional depth to the characters in “Incoming”?
Unfortunately, “Incoming” does not delve deep into its characters. The relationships between the main characters are underdeveloped, making it hard for viewers to connect with them on a personal level.
8. Why might some viewers still enjoy “Incoming”?
Despite its flaws, some viewers might enjoy “Incoming” for its light-hearted, no-strings-attached approach to comedy. If you’re looking for a simple, raunchy film with a few laughs, this might still be an entertaining watch.
9. Is “Incoming” a good representation of high school life?
“Incoming” presents an exaggerated, over-the-top version of high school life, focusing more on the outrageous than the realistic. It doesn’t offer an accurate portrayal but rather a dramatized version meant for comedic effect.
10. Should you watch “Incoming” on Netflix?
If you’re a fan of teen comedies and don’t mind a film that prioritizes humor over substance, “Incoming” might be worth a watch. However, if you’re looking for something with more depth and character development, you might want to explore other options.
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