The King of Staten Island

R16
2020
|
137 mins
Trailer
Poster for The King of Staten Island

Judd Apatow co-writes and produces this comedy drama starring Saturday Night Live's Pete Davidson (also co-writing) that draws from his... More

Where to watch The King of Staten Island

The King of Staten Island is available to stream in... More New Zealand now on Google Play and Apple TV Store.

The King of Staten Island | Ratings & Reviews

"The film does well to capture the particular atmosphere of living somewhere that’s never going to be a destination. Staten Island, no postcode envy. It’s unfortunate, then, that so much of the film is eclipsed by heavy-handed, go-nowhere plotlines, detracting from Davidson’s quick wit and skillful charisma. It’s tonally confused, and the lengthy improv scenes don’t always merit their duration. There are heartwarming moments throughout, there’s no doubt. And I get it, the meandering plot mirrors Scott’s lack of direction. I just wish Apatow had trusted Davidson to steer us through rather than constantly pulling at unnecessary threads."

FlicksFlicks

"It all adds up to a film that is very easy to like, but maybe not one you will really love."

StuffStuff

"There are low-key laughs, but as a comedy it’s no gutbuster; there are a handful of nicely observed character moments, but none of the catharsis you’d expect from a drama reckoning with sacrifice and legacy."

Total FilmTotal Film

"Admittedly, the subject matter is marginally darker and more personal than the Apatow norm. But its references to depression, manic behavior, and suicidal ideation feel shallow in a film that largely follows a conventional comedy arc, albeit at snooze-button speed."

A.V. ClubA.V. Club

"Apatow has always had a gift for casting. Tomei is expectedly charming and poignant as Scott's beleaguered mom. As Scott's more ambitious kid sister Claire, Maude Apatow, who has grown up onscreen through her father's films, is fantastically focused and fiery, challenging Davidson to rise to her level with every shared scene."

IGNIGN

"For its compelling first hour, “The King of Staten Island” is content to ramble along with Scott in a way that’s both authentic and pleasurable."

VarietyVariety

"There's no doubt that King is lumpy... But it's also frequently winning, and oddly sweet, too; a drastically unhurried dramedy with room to grow"

Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly

"The King of Staten Island is not structurally perfect. There is a rather contrived crisis the purpose of which is to bring Claire, Scott and Ray together at last, but there is charm and gentleness in this new stepfamily."

The GuardianThe Guardian

"Davidson, with his gangly limbs and cartoonishly ripe features, plays Scott with roguish charm and a fidgety vulnerability. Scott is obnoxious, but he's redeemed by his transparency — a willingness to wear his wounds close to the surface, just beneath the veneer of jackassery."

Hollywood ReporterHollywood Reporter

"At 136 minutes, The King of Staten Island may strike some as needlessly drag-ass. But Apatow lets the movie breathe without losing its internal dynamism."

Rolling StoneRolling Stone

"“The King of Staten Island” might lack the lightning-in-a-bottle magic that made Apatow’s first movies such instant cultural touchstones, but this sweet film crystallizes the feeling of being too scared to escape your own shadow."

IndieWireIndieWire

The King of Staten Island | Details

Rating
R16, Violence, offensive language, drug use & sexual material
Runtime
137
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Country of origin
USA

The King of Staten Island | Trailers