Unexpectedly Endearing Slices of Humor
New additions to the numerous prom night comedies are what people thought Blockers would be as it came out in theaters in 2018. There was, however, some deviation from the anticipated outcome. In her directorial debut, Kay Cannon focused not only on the prom-attending teenagers, but also on their overprotective, and over-involved parents. The result was honest and sleeker than expected, a cocktail of slapstick, coming-of-age, and satirical humor. Growing up, to let go of children, and respecting personal autonomy of the younger generation, were the central themes of the movie.
Julie (Kathryn Newton), Kayla (Geraldine Viswanathan), and Sam (Gideon Adlon), three friends at the heart of the story, make a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. There parents: Lisa (Leslie Mann), Mitchell (John Cena), and Hunter (Ike Barinholtz) inadvertently discover this plan and try to thwart it. The outcome was an interesting blend of over-the-top and absurd humor alongside some beautifully crafted moments of reflective tenderness and maturity. Each of the main characters had to grapple with understanding and coming to terms with the constructs of love and family, as well as their self-identity.
Before the Laughter, The Buzz
Trailers for Blockers sparked interest long before its release. Even the promotional poster—with a giant rooster emoji replacing part of the title—playfully hinted at its name: “Cock Blockers.” Fans began to wonder if the film would live up to the expectations set by its risqué marketing. Most anticipated a vulgar, over-the-top farce, while others, due to Kay Cannon’s prior work on Pitch Perfect, expected some of the outrageous humor to be offset by a more heartfelt narrative.
Social media buzz around John Cena’s participation in the film escalated. Wrestling fans were curious as to whether the WWE superstar would be able to pull off a comedic role without being wooden. At the same time, cinephiles were interested in Cannon as a first-time director and whether her debut would align with the long legacy of teen comedies.
The Story We Saw On Screen
The film aptly balances absurdity and sincerity. Julie’s romantic arc and her hopes for a prom night celebration are sweet. Kayla’s storyline explores confidence and independence, showing determination to control her narrative. Sam’s journey is striking as she navigates her sexuality and figures out she is attracted to another girl, all while fearing the social repercussions.
The hilarious drama that the parents contribute also entertain the audience with chaotic antics. Lisa represents single mothers living under the constant fear of their daughters. Mitchell as the overprotective father does not capture Kayla living with the portrayal of scary fathers. Hunter lives as the passive father trying to justify why his daughter should pay attention to him. The parents themselves learn the painful truth that their children are not “their children” through their chaotic antics of partying, car chases, and butt chugging.
Speculative interpretations of Blockers, like many contemporary comedies, were of a magnitude that inspired fan theories. For instance, some viewers proposed that the parents were the “monsters” in the story, as Blockers was primarily a commentary on helicopter parenting. Other theories suggested that the film would have benefitted from including heartbreaking elements, like Julie’s love story ending in despair, or losing the opportunity to reveal a secret Sam’s sexuality to her friends.
Another intriguing theory on a now-archived Reddit page proposed that Mitchell, played by John Cena, embodies the “dad identity crisis” of contemporary cinema—struggling to “do” masculinity while yielding to emotional vulnerability. The scene in which a butt-chugging Mitchell loses control as he wrestles with a hyper-masculine butt-chugging parent to control the scene was cited as evidence of the theory. In the end, parents must concede to the idea that control in parenting is about the surrender of dominion, and empathy defines a co-parent.
Views of the Cast and Crew
A few of the fan theories even reached some of the cast and crew. In interviews, Kay Cannon explained that she enjoyed listening to some of the more thoughtful takes. She commented that although the film was supposed to be a light-hearted comedy, she intentionally included themes of parental overreach and adolescent independence. Regarding fan questions about whether Lisa would have “let Julie go” without chasing her if she’d been more secure in herself, Leslie Mann just laughed.
John Cena freely engaged with fans, describing his experiences humorously. In one press interview, he noted the need for fresh takes on the “dad as a protector” narrative, saying Blockers was a step in the right direction: “It’s not about stopping your kids—it’s about supporting them.” Ike Barinholtz also expressed openly his pride for Sam’s storyline, describing it as one of the most progressive and real moments in a comedy he’s ever been a part of.
Unfinished Ideas
Few fans know the film actually had a slightly different ending in earlier drafts, there was more fallout from prom night: parents and teens were supposed to clash more dramatically on the issue of trust. But Cannon preferred a gently comic approach, believing the audience should leave with a laugh while also reflecting on the notion that the essence of love is in letting go.
Rumors about extended improvised scenes that weren’t used also circulated. Cena was said to have had several of his own comic quips for the infamous hotel scene, most of which Cannon opted to cut to maintain pacing. Barinholtz’s character was also supposed to have a more extensive emotional reconciliation with Sam, which was cut to maintain the forward momentum of the film.
Little Stories From Behind the Camera
Every production is bound to have memorable production stories. Kathryn Newton was still balancing her teen roles with more serious work such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, developed a close bond with Geraldine and Gideon Adlon, where a real life chemistry was formed that allowed their friendship to be believable. Geraldine, a relative unknown before Blockers, was lauded as the breakout star with most critics claiming she was the heart of the trio.
John’s dedication to the physical comedy was also legendary on set. He was so determined to get the slapstick right that he practiced the “butt chug” stunt several times, trying to get it right without looking awkward. Cannon later admitted she was stunned by how fearless he was: “Here’s this action star, and he’s totally game to humiliate himself for a laugh. That’s when I knew he wasn’t just dabbling in comedy—he was committed.”
Kay Cannon has also discussed the difficulty of being a first time female director in the comedy space and how the studio’s backing had to be secured for a female driven, sex positive teen comedy. This opened the doors for more diverse stories to be told in the genre as the movie’s success proved her right.
More Than Just a Teen Comedy
Years later, Blockers stands out not only for its outrageous gags, but for its subversive warmth. It invited laughter, yes, but it also invited conversation — about parenting styles, teen agency, and evolving ideas of identity. Fan theories continue to swirl, cast interviews still reveal new tidbits, and audiences who once underestimated the film have come to see it as one of the more thoughtful entries in modern studio comedy.
It may have worn the disguise of a raunchy prom-night romp, but Blockers ultimately gave us something richer: a story about love, trust, and letting go and the lens of chaotic slapstick.
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