King of Staten Island: True Story, Cast, Reviews & Where to Watch

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when comedy meets raw grief, The King of Staten Island offers a surprisingly tender answer. Pete Davidson channels his own father’s death—a New York City firefighter killed in the line of duty—into a character who drifts through life until love and loss force him to grow up. Directed by Judd Apatow, the 2020 film quietly became one of the more honest star vehicles in recent memory.

Director: Judd Apatow · Lead Actor: Pete Davidson · Release Year: 2020 · Genre: Black comedy-drama · Streaming Platform: Netflix

The table below consolidates verified production details and critical reception metrics for quick reference.

Was The King of Staten Island a true story?

The film draws heavily from Pete Davidson’s real life. In 2006, his father Scott Davidson—a New York City firefighter—died while responding to a warehouse fire in Brooklyn. The film loosely adapts this tragedy, with Davidson playing Scott Carlin, a Staten Island slacker whose firefighter father died in the line of duty.

Connection to Pete Davidson’s life

Davidson was 7 years old when his father died, and the film captures that specific flavor of arrested development that trauma can cause. He co-wrote the screenplay with Apatow and Dave Sirus, using his own experiences on Saturday Night Live as source material (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial). The character’s obsession with tattoo artistry and his on-and-off relationship echo patterns Davidson has discussed in interviews.

Firefighter father parallels

The real Scott Davidson was a FDNY firefighter killed at 33. The film transfers this loss to Staten Island but keeps the core details intact: the father died young, left a void in the family, and his memory haunts the protagonist throughout (YouTube Review). The film is explicit that Ray Bishop (Bill Burr) is a firefighter who dates Scott’s mother—paralleling how the real family’s life was reshaped by the loss.

What is the story behind The King of Staten Island?

Scott Carlin is a 24-year-old Staten Island manchild who lives with his mother, smokes weed with his best friend Oscar, and dreams of becoming a tattoo artist. His life is on pause—emotionally frozen since his firefighter father died years earlier. When his mother Margie starts dating Ray Bishop, a local firefighter, Scott’s carefully constructed world begins to crack.

Plot summary

The film follows Scott as he’s forced to reckon with his grief when his mother introduces Ray into the family. The new relationship threatens to erase the memory of his father while simultaneously offering Scott a chance to finally grow up. He pursues his tattoo dreams, navigates a rocky relationship with Kelsey (Bel Powley), and gradually finds direction (Wikipedia).

Character inspirations

Each main character maps to someone in Davidson’s life. Scott is Davidson himself. Marjorie Carlin (Marisa Tomei) blends traits from his actual mother and stepmother. Ray Bishop represents the kind of solid, dependable man who might enter the family picture after loss. Even Steve Buscemi’s character Papa, a veteran firefighter, reflects the brotherhood that surrounded Davidson’s father.

Is The King of Staten Island worth watching?

Critics gave the film a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus noting that Pete Davidson’s “soulful performance holds it together” despite uncertain tone and indulgent length (Wikipedia). Metacritic scored it 67/100, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Critic reviews

Rotten Tomatoes Editorial called it “a natural fit for its star” that “sparks great work from its cast, even if it’s a tad long” (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial). One reviewer noted it as “one of the filmmaker’s best in years for its dramatic maturity”—high praise for a director whose comedies sometimes sprawl. The consensus view: more drama than laugh-out-loud comedy, but deeply human.

Audience reception

Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes describe the film as “funny, well-acted, inspiring, and semi-biographical” (Rotten Tomatoes). Viewers who connected with Davidson’s public persona found the vulnerability refreshing. Those expecting Apatow’s typical comedic energy were sometimes caught off guard by the darker, slower passages.

The pattern here suggests Davidson’s willingness to expose his own vulnerabilities on screen creates a different kind of connection with audiences—one built on shared pain rather than shared laughs.

Who is in the King of Staten Island cast?

The cast brings together SNL alumni, veteran actors, and rising talent. Pete Davidson leads as Scott Carlin, an aspiring tattoo artist. Opposite him, Marisa Tomei plays his mother Margie, an ER nurse navigating her own grief and new relationship.

Main roles

Bill Burr portrays Ray Bishop, the firefighter who dates Scott’s mother. Bel Powley plays Kelsey, Scott’s on-and-off girlfriend whose own dreams keep pulling her away. Maude Apatow (Judd’s daughter) appears as Claire, Scott’s college-bound sister—the character who most clearly represents forward momentum (Wikipedia).

Supporting actors

Steve Buscemi plays Papa, a veteran firefighter who becomes a mentor figure. Pamela Adlon appears as Gina, Ray’s ex-wife. Ricky Velez co-stars as Oscar, Scott’s stoner best friend who provides comic relief while also grounding the friendship in something real. The supporting cast consistently receives praise in reviews, with critics noting that “Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr spark strong performances” (YouTube Review).

Where to watch King of Staten Island?

The film premiered exclusively on VOD on June 12, 2020, bypassing theatrical release entirely due to pandemic conditions (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial). Initial availability included major digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Streaming options

The content plan lists Netflix as a streaming platform, though search results did not confirm current Netflix availability. The film has been available through various VOD services since its premiere. For the most current streaming options, checking platforms directly or using a streaming search aggregator is recommended.

Availability

VOD rental typically costs $5.99–$6.99 for a 48-hour viewing window. Physical media release has not been widely reported. The lack of confirmed streaming on Netflix as of search results means viewers should verify current availability before subscribing to a new service.

The implication is that relying solely on initial release information may lead to dead ends—audiences should treat streaming availability as a moving target that requires active verification.

Pete Davidson’s soulful performance holds it together. — Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus (Wikipedia)

Critics say the comedy starring and co-written by SNL’s Pete Davidson is a natural fit for its star and sparks great work from its cast, even if it’s a tad long. — Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial)

One of the filmmaker’s best in years for its dramatic maturity. — Rotten Tomatoes Editorial (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial)

The King of Staten Island works best when viewed as a personal letter from Pete Davidson to his younger self—a film about learning that holding onto grief is sometimes the easy part, and that growing up means accepting help even when you think you don’t need it. Judd Apatow brings his signature ensemble warmth while letting the material breathe into genuinely affecting territory. Pete Davidson’s commitment to exposing his own emotional wounds makes this a rewarding watch for those who appreciate honest, messy, human storytelling over polished blockbusters.

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Pete Davidson channels his real-life grief into Scott Carlin, a character whose struggles mirror the King of Staten Island true story detailed across various in-depth profiles.

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