Netflix delivered Kinda Pregnant to audiences on February 5th. Its release brings a unique take on comedies and romantic partnerships. The movie stars Amy Schumer as Lainy, a woman who has long dreamed of having a family with the support of her childhood best friend. However, when her longterm relationship falls apart and her best friend becomes pregnant first, Lainy must come to terms with her new reality. In an attempt to cope, Lainy fakes a pregnancy and spends the following weeks keeping up the deception while forming new relationships. Despite its unique premise, Kinda Pregnant contains something for everyone.
A New Romantic Trope?
Many movies focusing on a romantic relationship contain a meet cute. Recently, Netflix found a booming success in their recent movie, Anyone But You. The formula is a classic. Person A meets a mysterious Person B in a scenic spot, they have a brief, but meaningful interaction, and audiences are left to wonder if the two will ever meet again. For romance fans, Kinda Pregnant begins with a swoon-worthy meet cute, which soon goes awry. While protagonist Lainy hopes to see her new love interest again after their brief encounter, she faces a major shock when she sees him again while faking her pregnancy. Now, Lainy must grapple with whether she should give up her lie and face the consequences, or attempt to keep up the deception. Unfortunately, either choice could mean losing relationships, and the longer the fake bump “grows,” the more people Lainy draws into the situation.
Realistic Friendships
Many movies market friendships. Doing so creates the perfect opportunities for friends to bond over cinema together. Scenes show a pair spending time with no one else, and rarely handling jealousy apart from over the same love interest. Kinda Pregnant offers a refreshing break from these unrealistic expectations. In the movie, Lainy and her best friend Kate have been best friends since childhood. As children, they spend their time discussing hopes and aspirations for the future. Lainy’s have always clearly involved children and a family. Kate, on the other hand, does not feel as enthusiastic during discussions of kids. Yet, in a turn of events, Kate marries and becomes pregnant before Lainy. Through Lainy’s journey processing the change of plans and struggle to face their friendship’s changing dynamic, Netflix highlights a realistic friendship. Neither Lainy nor Kate always prioritizes their friendship perfectly, or selflessly supports each other through hardships. As the movie progresses, the pair learns to find time for their friendship in their changing lives.
Addressing Silent Sufferings
For those looking for a more serious movie, Kinda Pregnant contains undertones criticizing society. Although the fake pregnancy and scenarios that come from it appear ridiculous on the outside, it points to a prominent issue. Women feel overwhelming pressure from society to marry, have kids, and become successful. If perceived to be falling behind their peers, they face public scrutiny, pressure, and humiliation. Viewers must look past the superficial bump to realize that any community where a woman must fake a pregnancy to find a sense of belonging needs correcting. Thus, Kinda Pregnant encourages women everywhere to challenge societal expectations and support other women in different stages of their lives. Experiences with motherhood, pregnancy, and relationships manifests differently for everyone, and the new Netflix movie emphasizes the importance of respecting everyone’s journey.