The King of Staten Island

Scott Carlin has lived in arrested development since his firefighter father died when he was a boy. Now in his mid-20s, he spends days smoking, frittering away time with his crew Oscar, Igor and Richie, and pursuing a tattooing dream that feels out of reach. He still lives with his mother, Margie, a weary ER nurse who does her best to hold the family together as her son drifts. When his mother begins dating Ray, a loudmouthed firefighter, old tensions flare and old grief resurfaces. Scott keeps a secret romance with his childhood friend Kelsey, adding another layer to his shaky sense of purpose. The film follows his first hesitant steps toward growing up.

Directed by Judd Apatow, The King of Staten Island features an original screenplay by Pete Davidson and Dave Sirus drawn from Davidson's life. It was released in 2020 by Universal Pictures and marked a personal, semi autobiographical comedy drama.

Although critics appreciated its blunt humor and honest performances, The King of Staten Island received little attention from major awards bodies. It did not secure nominations at the Oscars or Globes, and its accolades remained largely outside the industry’s biggest ceremonies.

Its candid talk about grief struck a chord with viewers who have faced loss, shaping conversations about healing and resilience. The film resonates with anyone navigating tough changes while trying to stay true to themselves, a reflection of a generation balancing humor with hard truths.

Critics praised the film for balancing laughs with a grounded emotional core and for grounding its comedy in real life pain. It examines identity, responsibility, and how a person moves from avoidance to tentative progress without losing humor, and it leaves you with a stubborn sense that growth is messy but possible.