Year: 2020
Runtime: 136 min
Language: English
Director: Judd Apatow
A struggling young man grapples with childhood trauma and a lack of direction in his life. When his mother begins a new relationship, he's forced to confront his grief and embark on a path of self-discovery. Surrounded by his loyal, eccentric friends and navigating complex relationships, he begins to find purpose and move forward from his past.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The King of Staten Island (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Scott Carlin, a 24-year-old high school dropout, navigates life on Staten Island alongside his mother, Margie Carlin, and sister, Claire Carlin. Having lost his firefighter father, Stan, at a young age during a hotel fire, Scott grapples with the lasting impact of that tragedy. His life is further complicated by health issues such as Crohn’s disease and ADHD, alongside his constant marijuana use. Currently unemployed, he spends his days with friends, including Kelsey, with whom he shares a complicated relationship. While she desires more commitment, Scott fears he doesn’t measure up and is apprehensive about deepening their bond.
As Claire prepares to leave for college, she worries that Scott’s lingering neuroses may spiral out of control without her support. Despite his aspirations to become a tattoo artist, Scott struggles with inconsistency in his artwork, often practicing on his friends. An unexpected encounter at the beach introduces him to Harold, a curious 9-year-old who initially asks for a tattoo but flees before Scott can finish. Later, Ray Bishop(Bill Burr)—Harold’s father—arrives at Scott’s home, initially upset but eventually drawn to Margie, leading to their newfound romantic interest. As Margie’s relationship blossoms, Scott becomes troubled by her dating a firefighter, mirroring his father’s occupation.
Ray attempts to bond with Scott by taking him to a Staten Island Yankees game, but their conversations reveal Scott’s deep-seated resentment towards the profession due to its inherent dangers. When Margie and Ray inform Scott that he should find his own place, it shakes him. During a visit with Claire, Scott admits to his intention to end their relationship, believing it to be unhealthy for Margie. Taking a job as a busboy, Scott grows closer to Harold and his sister, Kelly, while grappling with his friends’ plan to rob a pharmacy for pills. Reluctantly agreeing to serve as their lookout, the robbery takes a disastrous turn when they face off with the pharmacist and his wife, resulting in a shooting that lands his friend Oscar in jail while Scott narrowly escapes.
Seeking to sabotage Margie and Ray’s relationship, Scott meets Ray’s ex-wife, Gina, who paints a damning picture of Ray as a gambling addict. This confrontation leads to a physical clash with Ray, resulting in Margie kicking both men out of her house. With no place to stay and his friends locked up, Scott attempts to manipulate his way into Kelsey’s life, but when she discerns his motives, she rejects him. In desperation, he turns to Ray’s firehouse, where he begins performing odd jobs in exchange for shelter. Here, he bonds with Ray and the firefighters, who share stories about his father that help Scott process his grief.
In a pivotal moment, while at the firehouse, Scott assists a wounded man, which draws Ray’s attention, showcasing Scott’s emerging talent as an artist. Ray invites Scott to tattoo his back, marking a turning point in their relationship. Later on, Scott goes to the Staten Island Ferry to surprise Kelsey as she heads to take a civil service exam. In a heartfelt moment on the ferry, he finally confesses his love for her, culminating in a tender kiss, as she departs into the city, leaving Scott wrestling with his emotions and future uncertainties in Manhattan.
Last Updated: November 03, 2024 at 13:28
Still wondering what the ending of The King of Staten Island (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
The ending of “The King of Staten Island” sees Scott, played by Pete Davidson, coming to terms with the truth about his father’s death. Throughout the film, Scott idealized his dad as a heroic firefighter he never really knew, which kept him stuck in a cycle of aimlessness and emotional dependence. When he finally uncovers the reality—that his father was not the perfect hero he believed but was a flawed man who struggled with his own issues—Scott begins to understand that he cannot hold onto a false image of his dad forever. This awakening prompts him to stop hiding behind his fantasies and to start taking responsibility for his life. The film closes with Scott making a conscious decision to embrace a future of love, commitment, and purpose, moving beyond the shadows of his father’s memory. In doing so, he begins to forge his own path, letting go of the idealized version of his dad that had previously limited him, and finally stepping into a more genuine, mature version of himself. The ending emphasizes that healing and growth often come from confronting uncomfortable truths and accepting oneself, flaws and all.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore The King of Staten Island in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The King of Staten Island is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
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