Incoming Review: A Messy Teen Comedy Finds Its Superbad-Inspired Footing

Everyone loves a good coming-of-age film. However, rated-R teen comedies are somewhat rare to come by nowadays given the focus on expanding what’s already there. When such a film does release, it feels like a breath of fresh air.

Fortunately, Incoming is here to happily satisfy that need.

Even though it may have the usual genre elements and follow traditional narrative points, this film stands out with so many things that just click together. For example, Incoming‘s charming main cast simply brings this film’s joy to life.

As the lead as Benji, Mason Thames brings a sweet-hearted naivete in a way that feels natural for a rising freshman who doesn’t know what to expect. As a result, the chemistry shared between Benji and his friends mostly feels genuine even though all four are only together in the first act.

Once the film gets to the actual party, the boys get to shine.

Raphael Alejandro’s Connor and Ramon Reed’s Eddie simply share the most comedic moments together, leaving the wrong impression at said party. Meanwhile, Bardia Seiri’s Koosh might show his arrogance early on, but that gradual change and resulting shenanigans will get you invested.

Yet, it’s the scenes where Thames’s Benji and Isabella Ferreira’s Bailey are together where Incoming puts its heart and soul out there. Despite their present differences, Benji and Bailey truly see the good in one another, yet the party brings out Benji’s worst. This is for good reason too!

Incoming, its title being somewhat representative of its themes, is all about being yourself despite what others think and transitioning to new circumstances with that in mind. Most of the main characters are built around this idea with understandable motivations to go along.

Benji wants to get with his crush, Bailey, despite her own reservations. Koosh wants to prove to his older brother that he could be the new “man of the house.” Eddie wants to stand up to his unbearable stepfather and Connor just wants to stop the bullying from everyone else.

You want to see the boys come out on top, but their worst flaws are completely brought out. Ultimately, it’s their actions that make or break who they are at heart, yet you can’t help but see it’s the world influencing them that change too. In the end, you want to see them getting better.

However, it’s the balancing of these storylines where the film’s problems begin to show.

The focus is primarily placed on Benji and Koosh’s personal problems while Connor and Eddie are relegated to being the comedy duo. 

Due to this, their changes are only truly shown in the aftermath, which is less impactful. However, Connor and Eddie’s road mayhem perfectly fits with Incoming‘s R-rated comedy.

The comedy and action of Incoming is wild, and it feels like the movie straight out of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Funnily enough, this is even more apparent with Kaitlin Olsen as Benji’s mom, who happily channels Dee Reynolds. There’s also the excessive cursing that makes the film slip into Superbad territory with some peculiar dialog choices.

Although, when you put all of the pieces together, it makes this a fun movie to watch. Sure, it might not be as subtle with its messaging as some might want, but its absurdity is what makes it unique in the end.

Overall, Incoming is a pretty charming, if comedically ridiculous, coming-of-age movie that highlights why friendship and being your real self are the most important things that forge the best version of yourself. 

What did you think of Incoming? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Incoming is now streaming on Netflix.

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