The Art of Comedy and the Lies We Tell: "Kinda Pregnant" on Netflix
The world of comedy often pushes its characters to extreme lengths to keep a good lie alive, and Kinda Pregnant, the latest Netflix release starring Amy Schumer, is no exception. Schumer plays Lainey, a single woman obsessed with becoming a mother, who goes to absurd lengths—including shoving a roast turkey under her dress—to pretend she’s pregnant. While the premise might seem ridiculous, it’s exactly the kind of over-the-top humor that fans of classic comedies like Some Like It Hot or Mrs. Doubtfire have come to love. Kinda Pregnant is a funny and perceptive satire that dives into the complexities of motherhood, both real and imagined, and the societal pressures that come with it.
The Throwback Comedy with a Modern Twist
Kinda Pregnant feels like a throwback to the high-concept comedies of the early 2000s, like The 40-Year-Old Virgin or Wedding Crashers. The title alone gives away the gist of the story, but the movie is more than just a silly premise. It’s a vehicle for Schumer to explore themes she’s passionate about, blending her signature raunchy humor with sharp observations about womanhood, pregnancy, and the challenges of modern relationships. Schumer, who co-wrote the film with Julie Paiva, uses the movie as a platform to riff on everything from body changes and gender reveal parties to the personal jealousies that can arise when friends start families. It’s been nearly a decade since Schumer broke out as a movie star in Judd Apatow’s Trainwreck, and Kinda Pregnant sees her returning to form with the same raw, unfiltered voice that made her sketch series Inside Amy Schumer a hit.
Lainey’s Journey: From Childhood Dreams to Adult Desperation
The film opens with a flashback of Lainey as a child, imagining herself as a mother-to-be while playing with dolls. This sets the stage for her lifelong obsession with motherhood. Fast-forward to adulthood, and Lainey—a high school teacher in Brooklyn—is still far from her dream. Her longtime boyfriend (played by Damon Wayans Jr.) doesn’t seem interested in settling down, and when he propositions her for a threesome instead of proposing, Lainey’s disappointment is palpable. Her frustration only grows when her married best friend (Jillian Bell) announces she’s pregnant, prompting Lainey to blurt out a thoughtless “Get rid of it!” before apologizing. It’s during a shopping trip with her friend that Lainey first tries on belly padding, sparking the absurd lie that drives the rest of the movie. The saleswoman’s kindness and offers of a burrito and a foot rub are all the validation Lainey needs to keep up the charade, and she quips, “DoorDash driver” when asked who the father is.
The Comedy of Lies and the Struggle to Keep Up
Much of the humor in Kinda Pregnant comes from watching Lainey spin increasingly outlandish lies to maintain her fake pregnancy. After accidentally claiming she conceived on Thanksgiving, she digs herself a deeper hole by blaming it on a “Black Friday Eve sale.” But the ruse becomes harder to maintain when she meets a genuinely likable woman (played by Brianne Howey) in a prenatal workout class and finds herself wanting to form a real connection. Things get even more complicated when Lainey starts falling for a charming guy she meets at a coffee shop (Will Forte). Forte, known for his absurdity in roles like MacGruber, surprisingly shines in a more rom-com setting, and his ridiculous occupation as a Zamboni driver in Central Park only adds to the fun. The supporting cast, including Urzila Carlson as a guidance counselor and Alex Moffat as an oblivious father-to-be, adds to the film’s humor, but Forte is the standout.
A Desperate Desire for Family and the Emotional Core of the Film
At its heart, Kinda Pregnant is a story about longing. While Lainey’s fake pregnancy leads to plenty of laughs, it’s rooted in her deep-seated desire for a family she feels is slipping further away. Director Tyler Spindel, nephew of Adam Sandler (who produced the film), doesn’t reinvent the comedy genre, but he gives his performers room to breathe and shine. The film captures both the absurdity of Lainey’s situation and the raw emotion beneath it. If Knocked Up was about the comedy of an unexpected pregnancy, Kinda Pregnant is about the ache of wishing you were. Schumer’s performance walks a fine line between over-the-top humor and genuine vulnerability, making Lainey’s journey both ridiculous and relatable.
A Bittersweet Addition to the Rom-Com Genre
Kinda Pregnant isn’t breaking new ground in the world of comedy, but it’s a fun, heartfelt addition to the genre. With its sharp writing, standout performances, and a healthy dose of Schumer’s signature humor, the film strikes a balance between raunchy jokes and emotional depth. It’s a reminder that even in the age of streaming, there’s still room for a good, old-fashioned romantic comedy. While it doesn’t reach the heights of Schumer’s earlier work, Kinda Pregnant is a bittersweet, often hilarious exploration of what it means to want to be a mother—and what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. Rated R for sexual content, language, and drug use, Kinda Pregnant is now streaming on Netflix. At 97 minutes, it’s a quick, easy watch that’s sure to leave audiences laughing, even if it doesn’t linger in the memory long after the credits roll.
