With their directorial debut, Incoming, Dave and John Chernin—known for their popular roles in It is Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Mick—brought their unique sense of humor. With a special emphasis on the mayhem of a freshman’s first high school party, the film is a vibrant examination of high school life. Their directing style for Incoming is a reflection of their profound appreciation for comedy, which is tempered with a touch of nostalgia and a deep regard for vintage high school comedies.
The Chernin brothers’ love of the genre is combined with their approach to Incoming, which is based on their own high school experiences. John Chernin relates a memorable childhood memory: “I remember Dave and I sitting by a window, the lights off, just staring out into the backyard at this crazy high school house party next door, thinking that was the most insane thing I had ever seen.” This vivid memory of the crazy party hosted by their neighbors served as the inspiration for the main idea and upbeat tone of the movie Incoming.
With Incoming, the brothers wanted to humorously and authentically capture the spirit of high school parties. Famous high school comedies like Superbad, Can not Hardly Wait, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High served as inspiration for them. With the help of these movies, the Chernins were able to weave their own distinctive style throughout the story of Incoming. According to Dave Chernin, “We have always wanted to write a film for high school. We have been discussing the idea for more than 15 years, and during those brief moments, we used to always record our thoughts in notepads.” This lifelong love for the genre came through in the movie, which successfully strikes a mix between nostalgic details and a new, modern viewpoint.
The Chernins aimed for Incoming to be a film that both catered to the youth of today and preserved the traditions of vintage high school humor. Four freshman attend their first high school dance in the movie, and the evening is full of hilarious accidents and unanticipated difficulties. The Chernins wanted to create a film that was both laugh-out-loud funny and relatable, so they combined their own high school memories with the humor of classic movies.
Additionally, the directing team drew from their respective successes in television. Their background with The Mick and It is Always Sunny in Philadelphia, two programs renowned for their sardonic humor and razor sharp wit, allowed them to bring a similar sense of humor to Incoming. Their proficiency in crafting sharp dialogue and endearing comedic situations has been refined through their work on television, and this is demonstrated throughout the movie. John Chernin’s observation regarding their reasons for doing so highlights their dedication: “This is the kind of movie that has not come along in a long time. Something ridiculous that valued laughter above all else was what we truly wanted to see.”
The Chernins’ approach to comedy is also reflected in their casting decisions. They assembled a diverse cast that included both newcomers and well-known performers, like Bobby Cannavale and Kaitlin Olson, to form a vibrant group that amplifies the humor in the movie. The directors’ ability to put together a group of people who could realize their vision is demonstrated by the cast’s chemistry.
Incoming, directed by Dave and John Chernin, combines elements of their signature wry humor with personal nostalgia for classic comedies. They have created a film that looks to be a noteworthy addition to the high school comedy genre by fusing their high school experiences with a respect for genre classics. Their strategy guarantees that Incoming appeals to both new and old audiences by paying tribute to the past while also adding a modern twist.
