This is not usually the type of movie I gravitate towards watching. Even my husband was shocked when I said I was interested in it. But for once I decided to listen to the critics which is honestly something I never do. It’s a good thing that I did though! It was so much better than I expected it to be and I thought it was the perfect Friday night flick too.

Scott (Pete Davidson) has been a mess ever since his dad, a firefighter, passed away years ago. He lives at home with his mom Margie (Marisa Tomei) and sister Claire (Maud Apatow). When Claire goes off to college, things start to change.

While he’s been used to getting stoned every day, hooking up with his childhood friend Kelsey (Bel Powley) and dreaming of opening his own tattoo parlor, everyone around him seems to be moving on. Claire is gone, Kelsey wants to take things to the next level in their relationship and even his mother has started seeing Ray (Bill Burr), who just so happens a firefighter too.

Stuck in his ways, Scott struggles to break out of his funk, but he must do so if he ever wants to make something of himself.

I have to give a round of applause to Pete Davidson. Dude really knocked this role out of the park! I never watched SNL so I couldn’t speak for his acting chops beforehand. To me, he was just Ariana Grande’s ex-boyfriend. However I was really impressed with what I saw and I wouldn’t be surprised if this got him some award show buzz.

The rest of the cast were perfectly chosen as well. And though I haven’t been known to like Judd Apatow’s work in the past, this was truly the exception.

My main reason for liking The King of Staten Island so much was because it was loosely based on true events. Stories like that make everything so much more believable and it’s something that I appreciate. Despite losing focus a few times throughout and missing some of the jokes, it was an overall positive viewing experience.

Rating: ♥♥♥.5