Obvious Child

Donna is a young stand up comic who has just lost her day job and is living with the uncertainty of freelancing. She trusts her improv instincts to navigate life, but a casual fling with a grad student suddenly changes the plan. When she learns she’s pregnant, the moment stops being a joke and starts shaping the next chapter. The film follows her through late night gigs, awkward conversations with friends, and the practical realities of medical visits, dating while pregnant, and figuring out how to tell her family. It keeps the tone light with sharp one liners while letting real questions about adulthood, responsibility, and personal choice linger beneath the humor.

Directed by Gillian Robespierre, the film stems from a screenplay by Elisabeth Holm and Karen Maine and draws on their own experiences. Shot on a lean budget, this indie project blends warmth with stinging wit and a granular sense of New York life.

Box office: The film grossed about $3,123,963 worldwide on a 1 million budget, making it a modest but solid indie performer. Its audience reception matched critics' praise for Jenny Slate's sharp delivery and the film's frank approach to pregnancy and relationships.

Cultural impact comes from its willingness to treat abortion with humor and honesty in a rom com setting. Jenny Slate's performance energized conversations about female agency and sexuality on screen, pushing indie romantic comedies to address serious life choices without losing wit.

Reception was largely positive, with critics praising the crisp dialogue, the balance of laughter and feeling, and the film’s fearless subject matter. The themes revolve around growing up and choosing a path that blends desire with responsibility, while staying true to friendships and the messy, funny realities of everyday life. The film's personal voice and improvisational feel leave audiences with a sense of rough honesty that lingers beyond the credits.