The Fate of Lainy’s Mother in Kinda Pregnant Explained

In the Netflix romantic comedy Kinda Pregnant, Lainy’s deep desire to become a mother is intricately intertwined with her childhood experience of losing her mother at a young age. The film opens with a poignant moment: a young version of Amy Schumer’s character engages in an imaginative play where she pretends her doll is giving birth, conversing with her friend Kate—whose adult counterpart is portrayed by Jillian Bell. Their conversation touches on the complexities of their lives, bound by the painful reality of having lost their mothers.

The adult Lainy, however, finds herself further from achieving her dream of motherhood. Her long-term relationship crumbles, and she experiences feelings of bitterness when she discovers that Kate is expecting. As feelings of isolation and inadequacy set in, Lainy resorts to donning a faux pregnancy belly, spiraling into a web of deception. While Kinda Pregnant is a comedic endeavor, it skillfully interweaves a more profound and emotive storyline beneath its humor.

Lainy’s Loss: The Death of Her Mother

A Shared Grief: Lainy and Kate’s Story

Lainy and Kate as kids in Kinda Pregnant

During her pretense of pregnancy, Lainy forms a friendship with Megan (played by Brianne Howey), who is genuinely expecting. In a candid conversation, Megan inquires about Lainy’s relationship with her late mother, asking if she ever discussed the realities of pregnancy and childbirth. Lainy reveals her mother passed away when she was just six years old, expounding on the implications hinted at in the film’s opening. Although she refrains from detailing the circumstances of her mother’s death, the emphasis on shared maternal loss between Lainy and Kate suggests deeper emotional connections between their experiences.

A Quest for Motherhood: Lainy’s Obsession

The Idealization of Motherhood

Brianne Howey and Amy Schumer sitting among pregnant women at a support group in Kinda Pregnant

The loss of her mother plays a crucial role in Lainy’s overwhelming aspiration to become a parent. In her earlier days, young Lainy resolutely declared that motherhood was one of life’s greatest achievements. This perspective fueled her desperate yearning for a child, an ambition that life continually obstructed. Through donning a faux pregnancy belly, she seeks the affirmation and validation she feels is attached to the role of a mother. Feeling valued and respected as a ‘mother-to-be’ becomes an addictive experience for Lainy.

As the storyline unfolds, Lainy begins to realize that the realities of pregnancy and motherhood may not align with her expectations. Her glorified vision, shaped by her mother’s absence and societal standards, faces a stark contradiction through Megan’s authentic struggles and tragedies. Ultimately, while Lainy aspires to motherhood, her journey in Kinda Pregnant leads her to appreciate her own worth beyond the scope of being a parent. This revealing evolution offers unexpected emotional depth in a film primarily marked by comedy.

Catch Kinda Pregnant streaming now on Netflix.

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