Obvious Child (2014)
Often dubbed the 'abortion romantic comedy,' this film is so much more. Comedian Jenny Slate stars as Donna, a stand-up comic who gets dumped, has a one-night stand, and gets pregnant. What follows is a refreshingly honest and hilarious look at a woman
who makes a decision about her body without shame or melodrama. Much like Schumer, Slate uses her own stand-up persona to navigate messy personal territory with a brand of humor that is both deeply vulnerable and incredibly funny, making it a must-see for anyone who appreciates comedy that isn't afraid to 'go there'.
Young Adult (2011)
If you love the 'unlikable' female protagonists that Schumer often embodies, meet Mavis Gary. Charlize Theron delivers a shockingly funny and caustic performance as a ghostwriter of young adult novels who returns to her hometown to wreck the marriage of her high school boyfriend. Written by Diablo Cody ('Juno'), the film is a dark comedy that explores arrested development and loneliness with a sharp, cynical wit. It's a masterful portrait of a woman who refuses to be pitied, finding humor in the most cringeworthy and depressing situations.
Bachelorette (2012)
Before 'Bridesmaids' cornered the market on wedding chaos, this much darker and meaner indie comedy took female friendship to its toxic, hilarious limits. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, and Isla Fisher, the film follows three friends who reunite for the wedding of a woman they used to mock in high school (Rebel Wilson). An all-night, drug-fueled misadventure to fix a ruined wedding dress ensues. Written and directed by Leslye Headland, its humor is profane, sharp-edged, and digs into the complicated jealousies and bonds between women in a way that feels raw and real.
Sleeping with Other People (2015)
Another gem from writer-director Leslye Headland, this film stars Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie as serial cheaters who forge a platonic friendship to support each other's recovery. Of course, that platonic plan gets complicated. The movie is a rare romantic comedy that is sex-positive, refreshingly honest about infidelity and attraction, and free of judgment or slutshaming. The dialogue is witty, the chemistry is electric, and it explores messy relationships with the kind of modern, Rrated sensibility that Schumer's work champions.
For a Good Time, Call… (2012)
Two former college enemies become reluctant roommates and, out of financial desperation, start their own phone sex line. This is a classic oddcouple story with a raunchy, entrepreneurial twist. The film is fundamentally a sweet story about female friendship ('bramance') wrapped in a hilariously explicit package. The plot follows the straitlaced Lauren (Lauren Miller Rogen) and the freespirited Katie (Ari Graynor) as they build their unlikely business, finding empowerment and a deep bond along the way. It's a warm, funny, and shamelessly filthy story of female ingenuity.
The Incredible Jessica James (2017)
Former 'The Daily Show' correspondent Jessica Williams shines in this Netflix original as a confident, aspiring playwright in New York City who is reeling from a recent breakup. She's set up on a blind date with a kind, divorced app designer (Chris O'Dowd), and the two bond over their respective heartbreaks. What makes this a Schumerfan essential is Williams' character: she's outspoken, fiercely independent, hilarious, and navigates her professional and romantic life with a level of brutal honesty that feels both aspirational and deeply relatable.
Saint Frances (2019)
This indie dramedy is perhaps the messiest and most candid film on the list. Writerstar Kelly O'Sullivan plays Bridget, a 34yearold server who takes a summer job as a nanny just as she finds out she's pregnant and decides to have an abortion. The film is unflinching in its portrayal of periods, abortion, and postpartum depression, but handles it all with a disarming, deadpan humor. It's a story about a 'selfish f— up' finding her way, and its raw honesty and rejection of formula make it a spiritual cousin to Schumer's most groundbreaking work.
