Incoming Review: Crushes, Crashes, and High School Burns
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“Incoming” is the kind of raunchy teen comedy that’s meant for adult viewers but will probably be enjoyed best by teens who are not supposed to be watching it. I remember watching the R-rated comedy “American Pie” with my girlfriends when we were 15 during a sleepover because it happened to be playing on television at 9 pm. One friend kept gasping in shock and closing her eyes out of embarrassment, while the other two of us died laughing at whatever was happening. Our parents, of course, had no clue about what we were watching; in fact, even we didn’t know what we were about to watch, and it was probably a censored version for TV.
While “American Pie” was about four teen boys entering a pact to lose their virginity by prom night, “Incoming” is a teen comedy about four high-school freshmen attending a party hosted by seniors to become popular. Directed by Dave Chernin and John Chernin, “Incoming” stars Mason Thames (he played the lead in “Black Phone”) as primary protagonist Benj Nielsen, who has a crush on his older sister’s best friend, Bailey (Isabella Ferreira). So Benj is keen on attending the party being hosted by his friend Danah’s (Bardia Seiri) older brother Kayvon, where he hopes to run into Bailey. Meanwhile, his friends Eddie (Ramon Reed) and Connor (Raphael Alejandro) end up having a wild night driving a car without a license and dealing with a drunk Katrina (Loren Gray), who mistakes them for her Uber and gives them hell (in a bad way).
“Incoming” is essentially a little like Gene Stupnitsky’s “Good Boys,” which is about three 6th-grade boys getting caught up in a bunch of misadventures while trying to attend a party by the end of the day. But “Good Boys,” despite being often inappropriate, is a ridiculously funny film, the kind you’d laugh at, even though you know its kid characters shouldn’t be saying or doing the stuff they’re saying and doing (the young cast wasn’t allowed to see their movie because it’s R-rated). “Incoming” isn’t as funny.
Mason Thames is the most likable character in “Incoming”; he is what you’d brand as a ‘good kid.’ For instance, when he gets to the party, he calls out Danah for being “creepy” when Danah reveals he is monitoring all the girls at his house party with cameras to stage a ‘meet cute’ with whoever catches his fancy. Ramon Reed and Raphael Alejandro are also entertaining as besties Eddie and Connor, who sneak out in a car to get ice cream – that’s their idea of a wild night, and it’s funny, although, unfortunately, their night turns a lot wilder and nastier than they hoped for.
With a 90-minute runtime, “Incoming” doesn’t drag too much and keeps the adults out of the picture, except for one cool science teacher (Bobby Cannavale) who weirdly attends the teen party. And since three out of its four characters are fairly ‘nice’ kids, not just dumb sleazeballs out to win over girls by hook or crook, it manages to be a watchable movie. In fact, Eddie and Connor are happy to just stay at home and play games instead of chasing girls. However, the comedic writing isn’t consistent, and a large section of the story relied on shitty (literally) jokes to drive the plot forward, which is more gross than funny.
The climax for “Incoming” is cheesy, over-the-top, with a dramatic speech and an embarrassing yet realistic end to the boys’ adventures. Some get the popularity they sought; others don’t. And depending on the brand of humor that tickles your funny bones, you may or may not find “Incoming” to be an entertaining teen comedy.
Rating: 5.5 on 10. “Incoming” is on Netflix.
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