The latest entry in this genre is “Incoming,” co-written and directed by Dave and John Chernin, known for their work on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” It’s a solid addition, with plenty of laughs—sometimes the kind that make you laugh out loud. The humor in “Incoming” stands out because it’s not afraid to push boundaries, a quality that many recent comedies, which often play it safe, could learn from. The characters in “Incoming” are messy, sometimes rude, and occasionally clueless—much like real life.
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its casting. Mason Thames stars as Benjamin “Benj” Nielsen, a kind-eyed actor with the charm of an ‘80s teen movie star. He’s perfectly cast as the geeky, well-meaning Benj, who has a crush on his sister Alyssa’s best friend Bailey (played by Ali Gallo and Isabella Ferreira). Alyssa, dealing with a breakup and obsessed with getting a nose job, assumes that a better appearance will lead to a better life.
Benj’s best friends—Eddie, Connor, and Danah “Koosh” Koushani, played by Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejandro, and Bardia Seiri—also face challenges on their first day of school. Koosh, the uber-rich kid, struggles to step out of his older brother’s shadow while trying to host the annual back-to-school party. Eddie and Connor just want to survive the school year, with Connor especially anxious about a cruel nickname given to him by bullies. There’s also the popular girl, Katrina (Loren Gray), who the boys would do anything to impress.
When the boys head to Koosh’s party, they face a dilemma: only one of them can stay as Koosh’s guest. Determined to get closer to Bailey, Benj convinces his friends to fight for that spot, while Eddie and Connor embark on their own adventure across the city. Adding to the chaos is their chemistry teacher, Mr. Studebaker (played by Bobby Cannavale), whose antics range from questionable to outright inappropriate.
But the heart of “Incoming” lies with the kids, and they deliver. In one part of the mansion, Koosh gives a girl a spa treatment, only for her to uncover a series of lies. Benj impresses Bailey, only to quickly mess it up. The film’s best storyline, however, belongs to Connor and Eddie, who take care of a blind-drunk Katrina in the most gentlemanly way possible, turning a disastrous night into something memorable.
The film balances humor with life lessons. Every character, from Alyssa to Mr. Studebaker, gets what they deserve, for better or worse. The Chernins’ film doesn’t preach but also doesn’t let its characters off the hook easily. In this wild ride, actions have consequences.
Still, you might wish Benj had a bit more of a win—perhaps a moment of forgiveness or a chance at redemption. Without that, “Incoming” doesn’t quite stick the landing in its finale. But in the end, friendships endure, and the timeless tradition of teen comedies continues. And maybe that’s what really matters.
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