Netflix All-Star Raunchy Comedy Could Never Be Made Today
The 2007 comedy Knocked Up is streaming on Netflix. Written and directed by Judd Apatow, it chronicles the repercussions of a drunken one-night stand that results in an accidental pregnancy. The non-couple dealing with the aftermath of their choices is media personality Allison Scott (Katherine Heigl) and Ben Stone (Seth Rogen), a known slacker.
Knocked Up With Katherine Heigl And Seth Rogen
Knocked Up begins when Alison meets Ben at a local nightclub while celebrating her promotion. When their night of drunken debauchery ends, the pair realizes they have nothing in common and go their separate ways. But when Alison discovers she’s pregnant, Ben promises to support her despite their differences.
However, forced relationships are never ideal, and Alison worries about Ben’s commitment, especially after seeing her sister’s troubled marriage.
Meanwhile, Alison’s sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) suspects her husband Pete (Paul Rudd) is cheating. She later discovers that he’s actually sneaking out to enjoy fun activities alone due to her constant criticisms.
Some Laughs Wouldn’t Play Now
Alison and Ben’s relationship hits a breaking point when Ben shows support for Pete’s deception. They argue, leading to a messy breakup.
Ben and Pete go on a trip to Las Vegas and, under the influence of drugs, realize they need to repair their relationships. The results, while hilarious at the time of Knocked Up’s release, may not go down too well with audiences in 2024.
Not Realistic With Birth
The film’s depiction of labor begins on an overly idealistic note that is far from the reality for many expectant mothers.
The on-call obstetrician is portrayed as unsupportive and verbally abusive, which can contribute to existing concerns about medical care during labor. As such, Knocked Up exacerbates issues of patient trust in the healthcare system.
The birth scene in Knocked Up is depicted as terrifying and out of control, perpetuating fears around childbirth that can affect real expectant mothers’ experiences and mental health. Additionally, the film reinforces harmful stereotypes about postpartum sexuality, suggesting that childbirth makes women less attractive to their partners.
Insensitive And Annoying?
While one can shrug off Knocked Up‘s shortcomings in the name of humor, for couples who are actually expecting a child, the film can be viewed as insensitive, annoying, and maybe even offensive.
The absence of Alison in the (sort of) sequel This Is 40 has also raised questions about the film’s continuity.
Not Mentioned In This Is 40
Despite the close relationship between the characters in Knocked Up, Allison Scott and Ben Stone are not even mentioned in This Is 40.
Their absence is wildly unexpected since Alison lived with her sister Debbie for almost a year. Moreover, the 2011 movie primarily explores Debbie’s family history, making the exclusion of Alison and their shared mother quite puzzling.
Knocked Up On Netflix
Knocked Up was a massive success, earning $219 million at the global box office. This Is 40 earned a less impressive $88 million and was met with mixed reviews from critics.
While some praised its cast performances, its extended runtime and occasional aimlessness in the comedy film contributed to its downfall. A sequel called This Is 50 has been in development since 2022.
