Kinda Pregnant Review: Amy Schumer Disappointed in This Netflix Comedy

Kinda Pregnant

Director: Tyler Spindel

Editor's Rating:
2

Pros

• Amy Schumer’s sharp and relatable humor.
• A fresh and entertaining take on pregnancy.
• Well-written script with engaging dialogues.
• Strong supporting cast enhances the comedy.

Cons

• Some jokes may feel repetitive.
• Lacks depth in certain emotional moments.
• Predictable plot with few surprises.
• Background music is effective but not memorable.

Kinda Pregnant Review: I always support Amy Schumer, even though she can make it hard at times. When she does well, she does really well. Most of this was seen on her Comedy Central sketch show, Inside Amy Schumer, which aired from 2013 to 2016 and was very popular at the time. Schumer’s comedy style is bold and self-mocking. It highlights general sexism while making fun of some white women. This style fits well with the pop feminist movement and resembles a friend who shares too much during the rise of personal essays.

For better or worse, Schumer’s style has stayed the same, especially when it comes to movies. Kinda Pregnant on Netflix, Amy Schumer’s new movie on Netflix, includes her typical style of bold physical humour, open talks about bodies, and a refusal to be polite. However, it seems outdated and doesn’t create any fresh excitement. Written by Schumer and Julie Paiva and directed by Tyler Spindel, Kinda Pregnant is another disappointing movie for Schumer. Since 2015’s Trainwreck, her work has been held back by poor writing and weak storylines, like in 2018’s I Feel Pretty and 2017’s Snatched.

This time, the problem is deeper: even with many funny moments and physical jokes, there’s not much that is actually funny. The 2022 return of Inside Amy Schumer highlighted the challenges of its timely humour after Trump. Similarly, Kinda Pregnant shows that this type of humour is reaching its limit. The 100-minute film feels like typical Netflix content: too bright, not fully developed, and simply combining a bunch of funny actors without a solid plan.

Also Read: Goosebumps The Vanishing Review – A Thrilling Mystery Ride

In this story, she explores the differences between people who choose not to have kids and those who are parents. She plays Lainy, a straightforward and often overwhelmed schoolteacher in a surprisingly affordable area of Brooklyn called Williamsburg. Lainy really wants to have a family. In her early 40s and four years deep in a relationship with Dave (Damon Wayans Jr), details unknown besides being a cad, she believes she’s on the precipice of an engagement and thus her dreams.

It all ends in a big mess, which can be tiring for the audience. I understand that they are trying to bring back classic studio comedies, but there are just too many silly mistakes at a bad moment. The day after Lainy searches for a ring in a cake because she really wants one, she finds out that her best friend Kate (Jillian Bell) is pregnant.

Feeling jealous, Schumer is good at acting excited for someone while not really feeling it. Lainy day-dreams about pretending to be pregnant with a fake belly. The world becomes an Elf-esque oyster, all cooing and congratulations and gifted seats on the subway. This movie blends elements of magical realism with the feeling of Brooklyn being a tight-knit community. It features a friendship with Megan (played by Brianne Howey), a young mum who is pregnant and eager to share her feelings about the challenges and isolation of motherhood. Interestingly, her brother is the guy Lainy flirted with at the coffee shop (played by Will Forte).

Even though it’s a comedy that aims for the outrageous, like Kiwi comedian Urzila Carlson’s vaping school counsellor character, Kinda Pregnant actually shines in more realistic and honest moments. The text talks about the mixed feelings that come with big changes in a close friendship. It highlights the balance between happiness and worry, as well as how friends support each other during tough times. But the subtle details are drowned out by the loud and intense. Schumer’s style, which often uses strong humour and exaggeration, might have gone too far this time.

Kinda Pregnant is now available on Netflix