‘Incoming’ Review: Netflix’s Freshman Year Raunch Comedy Scores Laughs but Proves Edgeless

As a seasoned film enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless high school comedies, I must say that “Incoming” is a refreshing addition to the genre. With its energetic pace and a dash of nostalgia for teenage years, it manages to breathe new life into familiar tropes.

The latest addition to the genre of crude high school comedies is the movie “Incoming,” produced by Netflix and directed by brothers Dave and John Chernin. These filmmakers gained experience with the explicit humor of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and created the brief but boisterous Fox comedy “The Mick.” In “Incoming,” the Chernins employ well-established archetypes: the awkward freshman, the cranky older sister, the aspiring ladies’ man, the popular blonde. However, they give a lively rhythm to these common elements, focusing more on humor rather than on the film’s minor dramatic aspects.

Fourteen-year-old boys, as we know, aren’t the most complex individuals on the planet, and the series “Incoming” acknowledges this fact by launching its primary cast with a lively debut episode that leverages the Chernins’ experience in sitcoms. These four unsure teenagers are navigating the challenges of high school. Benj (portrayed by Mason Thomas) thinks he can woo sophomore Bailey (Isabelle Ferreira). Connor (Raphael Alejandro), who hasn’t yet gone through puberty, gets labeled as ‘Fetus’. Eddie (Ramon Reed) harbors disdain for his mother’s wealthy boyfriend, played by Scott MacArthur in a noteworthy role of cynicism after his appearance on “The Mick”. Lastly, Danah (Bardia Seiri) is counting on hooking up with a senior to bolster his reputation. A party at the end of the week could significantly alter their lives.

Of course, it’s worth noting that despite the modern additions such as TikTok ads and casual LGBTQ representation, “Incoming” remains steeped in a nostalgic longing for adolescence, much like its predecessors in the genre. Regardless of the social circle, there’s an endearing warmth towards high school students across the sociological spectrum. When someone transgresses their values, as Danah does by setting up surveillance cameras to corner his crush and isolate her, they receive immediate, harsh consequences followed swiftly by unconditional forgiveness.

In “Incoming,” mercy is seemingly overly granted, establishing a clear moral boundary that isn’t transgressed, despite the movie pushing the boundaries of its R rating through scenes involving k-hole experiences and explicit nudity. Characters like Benj, Eddie, Connor, and even Danah all have personal insecurities, yet they are bonded by an obvious sense of right versus wrong. As the film splits these characters into distinct narratives, their strong moral compasses prevent the humor from delving into genuine depravity.

The Chernin brothers prove more adventurous with various side personalities, including Bobby Cannavale as a friendly sadsack chemistry teacher that takes his students up on binge drinking at the party. The character largely winds up a punching bag, but there are a few humorous curveballs when Cannavale plays the pathos of an adult whose social sphere is limited to the teenagers he grades. Likewise, Ali Gallo seems underutilized as Benj’s flinty sister Alyssa, who’s fresh off a nose job. A memorable sequence is distinguished by the touch of Alyssa loudly wheezing through her newly aligned nostrils: one of the few moments where “Incoming” risks becoming mean-spirited, and is rewarded with a good joke.

Despite temporary setbacks like Benj’s awkward blunder during the school assembly the following week, which teens might quickly forget amidst new distractions, “Incoming” moves at such a fast pace that these embarrassing moments barely leave an impression. The narrative resembles a sitcom pilot, where characters are initially introduced and then thrust into increasingly absurd situations, with the expectation of resetting to normal by the end of each episode. On its own, “Incoming” delivers what it sets out to, but its characters feel somewhat one-dimensional, and the level of raunchiness promised isn’t fully realized.

2024-08-23 12:16

‘Incoming’ Review: Netflix’s Freshman Year Raunch Comedy Scores Laughs but Proves Edgeless

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