Why is Kinda Pregnant rated R despite being a Rom-com? Explained

Netflix’s most recent romantic comedy, Kinda Pregnant, has generated curiosity among audiences because of its R rating, which is quite an uncommon category for romantic comedies.

With Amy Schumer as Lainy, the movie revolves around a woman who spirals into ruse after falsifying a pregnancy.

The film is directed by Tyler Spindel, and it is a mixture of humor along with some adult themes and self-doubt, societal expectations, as well as personal baggage.

Regardless of its rom-com storyline, the film is rated R for its use of heavy language not suitable for kids, s*xual content, and use of drugs and alcohol, which automatically makes it unfitting for younger viewers.

But what exactly drives this romantic comedy into restricted areas?

Let’s break down the details behind its rating and what viewers can expect.

Why Is Kinda Pregnant Rated R?

Netflix’s Kinda Pregnant passes as an R-rated movie because of explicit references made, especially when it comes to s*xual themes, vulgarity, and portrayals of using drugs and alcohol.

Kinda Pregnant NYC Premiere - Source: Getty

While the plot of the film revolves around a hyperbolic but relevant social situation, the execution of the film contains content that is mature, something that definitely places it outside the world of family-friendly rom-comedies.

**S*xual Content and mature language**

One of the main and key reasons Kinda Pregnant secured its R rating is because of some intense use of s*xual humor and explicit dialogue. The film comprises scenes where the characters engage themselves in risqué conversations, which include talks about bodily anatomy as well as talks about intimacy.

At one point, a character recommends a threesome, while a different scene shows a woman having a go at an intimate act in a humorous but very explicit way.

As an add-on, the script and the writing of the film are jam-packed with several profanities, ranging from words like "fu*k" and "sh*t" to "bi*ch."

Along with the adults, the film also promotes middle schoolers using language that is suggestive, which only further contributes to the mature tone in the film.

Drug and Alcohol Use:

Kinda Pregnant also highlights drug use and substance intake, strengthening its R rating.

One scene from the film shows the school guidance counselor inhaling some drugs on the school grounds, while another scene shows a student passing over a blunt, which a teacher confiscates for personal use.

Furthermore, the film contains a number of instances with scenes of the characters consuming some alcohol. While the use of alcohol is not an unusual scene in rom-coms, the grouping of drug use and explicit and foul language along with consuming some alcohol thrusts the film into the R-rated category.

The story behind the film

Outside of its use of mature content, Kinda Pregnant comments on the themes of the feeling of insecurity, pressures from society, and the expectations placed on women surrounding matrimony and motherhood.

A still from the trailer of Kinda Pregnant (Image via. Netflix/Youtube)

The official synopsis of the film reads:

Jealous of her best friend’s pregnancy, Lainy wears a fake baby bump... and accidentally meets the man of her dreams.

Lainy, played by Amy Schumer, is deeply saddened when she longs for a proposal from her partner but instead finds herself still single while Kate, her best friend played by Jillian Bell, is married and, to make things worse, also pregnant.

In a moment of insecurity, Lainy also spontaneously lies about being pregnant, which leads her into a web of lies.

Netflix's "Kinda Pregnant" New York Premiere - Source: Getty

As she decides to fake being pregnant, she makes friends with a real mom-to-be played by Brianne Howey and fosters a romantic connection with her brother.

However, keeping up the sham becomes progressively tough, pushing Lainy to face the truth.

While Kinda Pregnant is promoted as a romantic comedy, it nonetheless does rely on mature themes, explicit language, and drug usage.

A solid blend of all of this makes it crystal clear as to why a rom-com has an R rating.

With a mix of explicit comedy and deeper and mature themes, the film sets itself apart from conventional romantic comedies, making it more fitting for adult watchers.