Incoming

Is Netflix's Incoming the Next Superbad or Just Another Dud?

Diving into Netflix's latest teen comedy, Incoming, written by the geniuses of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"—but does it stand up? Spoiler: it might just trip on a banana peel!

Netflix’s latest offering, ‘Incoming’, is being scrutinized for its attempt to deliver a comedic experience akin to the cult classic, ‘Superbad’. Directed and written by the Chernin brothers, the movie aims to capture the essence of high school debauchery but seems to miss the mark with a series of tiresome gross-out jokes that feel like deja vu from the early 2000s. The story revolves around a group of freshmen attempting to host a life-altering party, which unfortunately doesn't bring anything new to the table, leaving viewers questioning if they should binge this or just binge-watch paint drying instead.

Critics are raising their eyebrows at how ‘Incoming’ tries to dive into the unfiltered chaos of teenage life yet ends up faceplanting instead. Many have pointed out that while the intention was to recreate that wild, carefree spirit of youth, the execution feels clunky and lacks the sharpness that would make the comedy resonate. Instead of the dynamic wit and charm that made ‘Superbad’ a household name, ‘Incoming’ relies heavily on predictable antics that seem more like an afterthought.

On a brighter side—well, at least a less dim side—there are glimpses of potential with a few laugh-out-loud moments interspersed throughout the film. Some scenes, while predictable, do have that classic teen movie feel which, however fleeting, may bring a smile. Yet, for moviegoers expecting the fresh humor that defined their own teenage years, ‘Incoming’ might feel more like a “who asked for this?” situation. One could argue that if you’ve seen one raunchy teen comedy, you’ve seen ‘Incoming’ and all its attempts to connect with the audience feel depressingly familiar.

In its effort to appeal to the nostalgia of the R-rated comedies from yesteryear, ‘Incoming’ does seem to lack an edge, presenting a diluted version of the humor that made films like ‘Superbad’ so memorable. It’s almost like trying to reboot your old favorite game, only to discover it comes with a 10-second loading screen. With an abundance of streaming options available, it’s a gamble whether viewers will find this flick worth their time or better off shaking their heads wondering where it all went wrong.

Interestingly, ‘Incoming’ features a soundtrack that promises a decent mix, but many fans are scratching their heads trying to remember the tunes that were just chucked in as background noise. And for those who love a good chuckle about the stars behind the camera, the Chernin brothers, famous for their involvement in ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, have a long uphill battle ahead in proving that they can transition their wild humor to the silver screen. Let’s just hope that Hollywood doesn’t lose their sense of humor on the way out!