[SXSW 2024] DOIN' IT -- Hilarious Raunchy Comedy Has Something To Say

Review by Sean Boelman

In the raunchy comedy genre, following storytelling conventions is often okay as long as the jokes always land. This is the case with Doin’ It, a riotous new sex comedy that also has something on its mind, resulting in one of the best entries into the genre since its heyday in the 2000s.

The film follows an ambitious, book-smart Indian-American woman who finds herself in over her head after she is assigned to be the substitute teacher for a high school sex-ed class… despite never having had sex in her life. Although the story is very predictable, the movie is so consistently hilarious that it overcomes its occasionally conventional storytelling. 

Unlike most raunchy comedies, Doin’ It does not feel crude or cruel. It doesn’t really shame the protagonist for her sexual inexperience, using it instead as a starting point for a discussion of sexual liberation — in more ways than the traditional definition. Yes, there’s a lot of secondhand embarrassment, but it still feels wholesome, like we’re laughing with her, not at her.

Still, what is most surprising about Doin’ It is that it is a message movie through and through, yet it doesn't feel overly didactic despite its clear message. At several points, characters go on diatribes about the need for more comprehensive sex education programs. While this message in a raunchy comedy is probably preaching to the sex-positive choir, it makes this feel much more important than the average comedy flick.

The film also impresses in how well it balances its different storylines. We have her lesson planning, the protagonist’s romantic subplot, a rivalry with another teacher, and a few other side stories that bring the narrative together nicely. Although none of these breaks the formula, it’s an effective combination of these tropes to make a great comedy.

Lead actress Lilly Singh, who also co-wrote the script, is an absolute discovery. She has a commanding screen presence but also a charm that lends itself nicely to the romantic comedy aspects of the story. This is a star-making-level performance from the comedian, and if there’s any justice in the world, she’ll become Hollywood’s go-to for sidekick characters in comedies because she’d absolutely nail that archetype.

Some notable faces make cameos in the supporting cast, presumably to boost the movie’s profile. Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Free Guy) aren’t entirely necessary. On the one hand, they don’t feel fully utilized; however, their relatively low-key roles with only a few funny scenes give Singh the spotlight she deserves.

Doin’ It is so funny that you’ll be laughing for every minute of its 90-ish minute runtime, but it also doesn’t have any lack of heart. Sara Zandieh and Lilly Singh have made a raunchy comedy for the ages, and one with a great message at that, making this a must-see entry into the genre.

Doin’ It screened at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, which ran March 8-16 in Austin, TX.

​Rating: 4/5