The King of Staten Island: True Story, Reviews & Streaming

Pete Davidson has talked about losing his firefighter father on 9/11 since he was seven years old. The King of Staten Island takes that grief and wraps it in the kind of crude humor Davidson built his career on. Directed by Judd Apatow and released in 2020, the film borrows heavily from Davidson’s own Staten Island upbringing and family history. It’s funny, uncomfortable, and occasionally devastating—all at once.

Director: Judd Apatow · Lead Actor: Pete Davidson · Release Year: 2020 · Genre: Black comedy-drama · Runtime: 137 minutes

The table below consolidates the film’s core metadata for quick reference.

Was King of Staten Island a true story?

The King of Staten Island draws heavily from Pete Davidson’s own life, making it one of the more personal films in recent comedy history. Davidson co-wrote the screenplay with Judd Apatow, and his fingerprints are all over the story.

Pete Davidson’s personal connection

Pete Davidson’s father, Scott Davidson, died as a firefighter on September 11, 2001, when Pete was just 7 years old (Esquire UK). The film mirrors this by placing Scott’s father death when Scott is around 7 years old, though it fictionalizes the event as a “Paramount Hotel Fire” rather than referencing 9/11 directly. Davidson has spoken openly about his father’s death in stand-up, including his 2020 Netflix special Alive from New York (ScreenRant). The film also mirrors Davidson’s real-life mother being a nurse, reflected in Marisa Tomei’s character Margie (ScreenRant).

Real-life inspirations vs fiction

While the film takes extensive inspiration from Davidson’s life, it remains a semi-autobiographical work rather than a documentary. The 24-year-old Scott living with his mom, smoking weed, and dreaming of tattoo artistry mirrors Davidson’s own Staten Island experiences (Novastream Network). The closing song “The Pursuit of Happiness” by Kid Cudi reflects a real-life connection where Cudi helped Davidson overcome suicidal thoughts, though this remains a supporting detail rather than central plot (ScreenRant). The film incorporates R-rated stories from his father’s Staten Island firefighter friends, adding authenticity to the cultural texture.

The implication: the film uses real grief as fuel but shapes it into fiction that serves the story rather than trying to document history.

Is King of Staten Island a good movie?

The film received mixed critical reviews, with praise for Davidson’s performance and emotional authenticity but criticism for pacing and tonal inconsistency.

Critical reception

Rotten Tomatoes notes that the “uncertain tone and indulgent length blunt this coming-of-age dramedy,” citing the 2h 17m runtime as a significant obstacle (Rotten Tomatoes). Cult MTL describes the film as autobiographical with Judd Apatow’s typical “poky, unwieldy style.” However, UK Film Review calls it a “funny and authentic comedy that tugs at your heart” and “absolutely worth watching.”

Strengths and weaknesses

DiscussingFilm highlights strong performances by Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, and Bill Burr, praising the focus on mental health and tattoo artist dreams. Daily Campus labels it “underrated” with great balance of comedy and serious moments. The weakness remains Apatow’s tendency to let scenes run longer than necessary—a common critique of his directorial style.

The catch: the 137-minute runtime asks audiences to commit to Davidson’s particular rhythm, and those who connect with his voice get an emotionally rich experience while others may feel the length tests patience.

What is the story behind The King of Staten Island?

The plot follows Scott Carlin, a 24-year-old man arrested in his development after losing his firefighter father seventeen years earlier.

Plot summary

Scott lives with his mother Margie, smokes weed constantly, and dreams of becoming a tattoo artist despite doing nothing to pursue that dream. His life is disrupted when his mother starts dating Ray, a firefighter, which forces Scott to confront his unprocessed grief. Novastream Network describes it as “a mixture of grounded performances and incredibly authentic story make The King of Staten Island an emotionally immersive experience.” The film uses comedy to explore trauma, family dynamics, and the painful process of growing up.

Themes of grief and growth

At its core, the film explores how unresolved grief stunts emotional development. Scott’s arrested development—living at home, avoiding responsibility, numbing himself with marijuana—reflects a coping mechanism for unprocessed trauma. The narrative shows him gradually learning to let people in, accept help, and face his pain rather than running from it. Bill Burr brings unexpected depth to Ray, playing a firefighter navigating complex family dynamics with patience and warmth (DiscussingFilm). Marisa Tomei brings pathos as the emotional anchor of the family.

What this means: the film succeeds most when it lets Davidson’s authentic vulnerability drive the story rather than relying on traditional comedy beats.

Is The King of Staten Island on Netflix?

Streaming availability varies by platform and region.

Current streaming options

The film is not available on Netflix in the US. It streams on Peacock via subscription, and can be rented or purchased through Fandango at Home (Rotten Tomatoes). Rental prices typically range from $3.99 to $5.99 depending on quality selection. In the UK, it appears on various on-demand platforms rather than Netflix.

DVD and other platforms

Physical DVD and digital purchase options remain available through standard retail channels. The 2020 on-demand release means the film has had wide distribution across multiple platforms, making it accessible regardless of your primary streaming service.

The pattern: viewers expecting to find the film on Netflix will need to look elsewhere, with Peacock offering the most convenient US subscription option.

What mental illness is in The King of Staten Island?

The film addresses several mental health conditions through the lens of comedy.

Portrayal of mental health

The film tackles depression, suicidal thoughts, and addiction—all rooted in trauma. ScreenRant notes that it “addresses Pete Davidson’s real-life struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts, and Crohn’s disease, coped with via marijuana, but handles them comedically without graphic visuals.” This approach allows the film to explore serious topics without triggering audiences, using humor as both a character trait and narrative device.

Drugs and daddy issues

The film is not a traditional stoner comedy. Marijuana use appears throughout but is portrayed as self-medication rather than recreation—tied to real medical conditions and emotional pain. Scott’s “daddy issues” manifest as anger toward Ray, fear of commitment, and an inability to face his grief. The film avoids graphic depictions of suicide or self-harm, instead showing Scott’s internal struggle through behavior and dialogue.

The implication: Davidson uses comedy as a shield, and the film earns its emotional moments because it never turns that shield into a weapon against viewers who share his struggles.

“The King of Staten Island is absolutely worth watching.”

— UK Film Review

“A mixture of grounded performances and incredibly authentic story make The King of Staten Island an emotionally immersive experience.”

— Novastream Network

“Pete Davidson’s semi-autobiographical tale is a funny and authentic comedy that tugs at your heart.”

— UK Film Review

The King of Staten Island earns its emotional punches because the source material comes from a real place. Davidson gave Apatow permission to tell his story honestly, and that honesty resonates even when the comedy gets dark. For viewers who connect with Davidson’s particular brand of vulnerability, the film offers something rarer than typical comedy—a confession that happens to be funny.