The latest Netflix stab at a crude teen comedy, Incoming, never quite reaches a level of success that would be characterized as glossy, with shadows from the classics such as Superbad and American Pie. Written and directed by the Chernin brothers, who scripted The Mick, Dave and John respectively, this 91-minute kids’ movie revolves around four freshman boys desperate to make a name for themselves and rise in high school. Unfortunately, the film ropes in far too much of the tired gross-out humor, losing its footing in a genre that demands more than shock value.
Plot Overview:
Incoming follows Benj Nielsen, a nerdy incoming freshman looking to reinvent his life. He comes with a group of equally awkward friends: Connor, Eddie, and Danah “Koosh” Koushani. This makes for a pretty simple story: Benj falls for his older sister Alyssa’s best friend, Bailey, while Koosh tries to show up his abusive older brother, Kayvon, by making out with a girl at a party. That party, thrown by Kayvon, is the setting for a host of ridiculous and pretty cringe-worthy shenanigans.
Analysis:
While Incoming is capable of capturing the furor that a high school party can hold, it veers too close here and there toward unease, as mushy content coexists with its raunchy content and raucous humor. The film goes for edgy, absurdist comedy—like Koosh’s elaborate surveillance system, or, for instance, Benj’s carpool buddy’s drug deal—all a little too self-consciously awkward to elicit laughs. Even veteran senior actors like Bobby Cannavale and Kaitlin Olson can’t save it from relying on too many rather crass jokes, most of them involving bodily functions.
Strengths:
There are moments where Incoming shines, particularly in the way it captures teen insecurity and teen awkwardness. The chemistry between Benj and Bailey offers a slight peek at what the movie could have been—a more intricate, detailed, and layered look at teenage affection. In its regularity too, the film will capture the small waves of sweetness and companionship that can be seen between the disturbances and disruptions of high school life.
Weaknesses:
These extremely few bits of charm are dunked, however, in the insatiable need for shock value in the film. This is perhaps best illustrated by the infamous Taco Bell scene, dealing with a bowel disaster. It goes to an extreme level of gross-out humor that can be quite annoying. Chances are, the viewers would cringe and not exactly laugh at it, as the movie then starts turning from clever to crude.
Conclusion:
Incoming is a missed opportunity, aiming at a film that makes a mistake in relying too much on cheap laughs and shock tactics. While it has its moments of genuine humor and heart, they are too few and far between to redeem the overall experience. For fans of the teen comedy genre, Incoming might offer some nostalgic nods, but it ultimately fails to live up to the standards set by its predecessors.
