Directed by Judd Apatow and co-written by its star, The King of Staten Island serves as a semi-autobiographical look at comedian Pete Davidson’s formative years. Released directly to video-on-demand due to pandemic theater closures, the 2020 comedy-drama balances raw grief with signature Apatow humor. Rather than relying strictly on standard stand-up tropes, the film dives deep into arrested development, mental health struggles, and the long shadow cast by losing a parent at a young age.
Scott Carlin, played by Davidson, is a twenty-something slacker living with his emergency room nurse mother (Marisa Tomei) on Staten Island. Plagued by chronic Crohn's disease, mental health hurdles, and minimal ambition, Scott spends his days smoking weed and tattooing his friends. His life shatters out of its comfortable stagnation when his mother begins dating Ray Bishop (Bill Burr), a loud-mouthed firefighter. Because Scott’s own firefighter father died on duty when Scott was a child, this new relationship forces him to confront unresolved trauma that he has spent years avoiding.
The Real-Life Parallels Behind Scott Carlin
While the movie is a fictional narrative rather than a strict documentary, it mirrors major elements of Pete Davidson's actual upbringing. Davidson lost his father, a New York City firefighter, during the September 11 terrorist attacks when he was just seven years old. That profound loss shaped his public persona, stand-up routines, and personal struggles with borderline personality disorder and anxiety.
In the film, Scott channels these exact vulnerabilities. He uses humor as a shield, pushes away people who care about him, and suffers from a paralyzing fear that anyone close to him will suddenly die. By working alongside co-writers Apatow and Dave Sirus, Davidson managed to externalize his private pain into a character study that feels startlingly authentic. Viewers familiar with Davidson's public life will spot numerous winks to his reality, from his real tattoo collection to his chaotic friend group dynamic.
Supporting Cast and Standout Performances
Beyond Davidson’s central performance, the film succeeds due to a carefully curated supporting cast that grounds the emotional stakes.
- Marisa Tomei as Margie Carlin: Tomei brings warmth and exhaustion to the role of a mother who has spent years coddling her grieving son while trying to find her own happiness.
- Bill Burr as Ray Bishop: Burr balances abrasive masculinity with genuine emotional depth, shifting from an antagonistic foil to an unexpected mentor figure.
- Bel Powley as Kelsey: Playing Scott’s on-and-off girlfriend Kelsey, Powley provides the film’s moral compass, refusing to let Scott settle for permanent mediocrity.
- Steve Buscemi as Papa: As a veteran firefighter who takes Scott under his wing, Buscemi offers quiet wisdom and lived-in credibility, mirroring his own real-life background as a former New York City firefighter.
Pacing and Tone: The Classic Apatow Dilemma
One common critique leveled against Judd Apatow’s filmography is an inflated runtime, and The King of Staten Island is no exception. Clocking in at over two hours, the movie occasionally drags during its middle acts while lingering on Scott’s aimless routine.
Yet, this deliberate pacing serves a purpose. The slow accumulation of everyday details allows the audience to feel the heavy weight of depression and inertia. When Scott finally lands inside a firehouse kitchen and is forced to confront actual discipline, the narrative shift feels earned rather than rushed. The movie resists easy Hollywood resolutions, opting instead for a bittersweet, realistic conclusion where growth happens in small, messy increments.
You can read more about the production background and reception on Wikipedia's King of Staten Island entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The King of Staten Island a true story?
It is not a strict documentary, but it is heavily inspired by Pete Davidson’s real life. Like his character Scott, Davidson lost his firefighter father on 9/11 and struggled with mental health issues during his youth in New York.
Why did the movie skip a theatrical release?
The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical rollout in spring 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters to shut down. Universal Pictures shifted it to a premium video-on-demand release, where it became a commercial and critical success during lockdown.
Who directed the film?
Judd Apatow directed and co-wrote the film alongside Pete Davidson and Dave Sirus. Apatow is well-known for character-driven comedies like Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.
How long is the movie?
The runtime is 2 hours and 17 minutes.
For a critical perspective on how the film handles its themes of trauma and comedy, check out Roger Ebert's King of Staten Island Review.
