Amy Schumer returns to Netflix with her newest comedy, Kinda Pregnant, which starts streaming on February 5, 2025. This film showcases Schumer's multifaceted approach to the often-untold realities of pregnancy, weaving laughter and serious undertones through the experience of self-discovery and friendship.
Kinda Pregnant tells the story of Lainy Newton, played by Schumer, who is grappling with her best friend Kate’s pregnancy. Jealous and confused, Lainy concocts the unconventional plan of using a fake baby bump to steer attention toward herself, igniting humorous yet heartfelt escapades along the way. This personal and relatable narrative resonates with many women who navigate the pressures surrounding motherhood.
During her promotional conversations with Audacy hosts Julia, Karen Carson, Kennedy, and Karla, Schumer highlighted her intention behind the film. "We’re trying to show these different aspects of like, not every woman who gets pregnant is over the moon the whole time,” she explained. This statement encapsulates the film's dual purpose: to humorize and demystify the experience of pregnancy.
The film's major ensemble includes Jillian Bell as Lainy's longtime friend Kate, Will Forte as her love interest Josh, and Brianne Howey as Megan, who provides brutally honest insights about the challenges of motherhood. "It’s Amy Schumer, Happy Maddison and Netflix — it’s a dream team,” Howey shared, acknowledging the creative powerhouse behind the film.
Filming took place primarily in Brooklyn, New York, with key scenes shot across various iconic locations like Central Park. The vibrant and diverse background of Brooklyn not only anchors the film but also accentuates the emotional highs and lows of Lainy’s comedic misadventures. Carly Spindel directed the film, turning Schumer's vision of balancing humor and reality seamlessly.
On set, the camaraderie among the female cast members blossomed. This experience was particularly meaningful for Lizze Broadway and Urzila Carlson, both first-time actresses. Broadway noted, “I haven’t seen a female-led movie in so long. It’s just one of those moments where you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I’m working with all these talented women.’” Highlighting the strength of female creativity, Carlson added, “I got a message from Amy on Instagram...She said, ‘Hey, I have a script. Can you act? I think you’ll be great in this.'”
The hilarious situations are amplified by improvisation, as seen when Howey shared her experience during filming, where comedic moments of early motherhood came to life. “Nobody kept it together — we couldn’t. It was impossible,” recounts Howey about filming a prenatal yoga scene. “The director finally just said, ‘Okay, one take with no farts,’ because we couldn’t get through it.”
It became clear during promotional interviews and discussions how close to home this film hit for many of the actresses. Brianne Howey, who is new to motherhood herself, mentioned how Lainy’s story mirrored her life post-pregnancy. “I read the script when I was three months postpartum [and] I had never read anything... so closely to where I was currently at,” she explained. This emotional connection inspired powerful performances throughout the film.
The process of filming Kinda Pregnant was not only about laughter but also about enlightenment, as Schumer insisted on including authentic dialogues about birth and pregnancy experiences within the story. An impromptu idea from Schumer to weave personal birth stories between her and Howey resulted in heightened authenticity on screen. “We did it and I’m super grateful to her,” Howey expressed.
With its release on Netflix, Kinda Pregnant has quickly gained traction among viewers, inviting them to watch the comedic chaos unravel as Lainy deals with the repercussions of her fabrications. The film intertwines the raw and tender reality of pregnancy with moments of humor and connection—from its relatable arguments, frequent laughter, to sincere discussions about motherhood.
Amy Schumer’s Kinda Pregnant is not just another comedy; it’s a significant venture emphasizing the need for authentic representation of women’s experiences, particularly those relating to motherhood. By shining light on the often-overlooked emotional landscapes, Kinda Pregnant establishes itself as not just entertainment but cultural critique worth engaging with, leading audiences to reflect, laugh, and perhaps even cry.