Around the block with ‘Blockers’ stars
Mann, Barinholtz and Cena on life as teens and decoding today’s slang
In the new R-rated comedy Blockers (in theaters Friday), three parents discover their daughters have made a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. Director Kay Cannon (who wrote and produced the Pitch Perfect films) lines up Leslie Mann as co-dependent single mom Lisa, John Cena as aggressively protective Mitchell and Ike Barinholtz as Hunter, the progressive but estranged dad of a closeted teen. They spill on their own life experiences to USA TODAY.
Question: Mitchell, Hunter and Lisa chase their daughters all over town, searching for the prom’s afterparty. Ever have a parent bust you?
Mann: My mom didn’t know where I was from ninth grade till 12th grade. Luckily, I was responsive at least half the time.
Cena: I come from a house of five boys and we learned very quickly that we outnumbered (our parents). That came with every possible element of causing trouble you can imagine. So, yes, there were a few awkward moments.
Barinholtz: There were definitely nights when my parents had to call my friends and ask if I was asleep on their couch, which I was. And, honestly, that carried on until my mid-20s.
Q: What was your prom night like? Barinholtz: I was the guy who told my friends, “Don’t worry, I’m going to get the booze.” I figured out a foolproof plan where I called a liquor store and placed a big order — but I didn’t want to use my name, so I used my grandfather’s name. I went to the liquor store and saw a guy walking in that I paid 20 bucks to pick it up for me. And I was the man! Then a few weeks later, my dad’s like, “You know, it’s my friend’s friend who owns the liquor store. And apparently my dad placed an order for a bunch of Zima? Which is funny, because my dad’s been dead for 20 years.” So I got in big trouble for that one.
Q: There was no way to have known
Blockers would land in the midst of Me Too and Time’s Up movements, yet the film certainly makes sure consent is front and center.
Cannon: This conversation of consent has always existed with us ladies, right? I could never have known (about the timing), but even if that didn’t exist, it would still be the same movie.
Q: How does this film address female sexuality that’s different from guy-centered comedies?
Cannon: I wanted it to be normal, natural conversation where they’re not making a huge deal out of it. I wanted the three daughters to be individuals (having sex) for their own different reasons — or not doing it for their own different reasons.
Mann: It’s refreshing to have a film that is from the point of view of young women. We usually just follow the boys, but women are just as complicated, confused and funny. Actually, way more!
Q: What slang do you hear kids say that you just don’t understand?
Mann: Last night, my daughter wrote on her Instagram that her flashback is poppin’. She also uses the word “thirsty” in a way I don’t understand.
Barinholtz: The thing to do is have young kid friends who are well-versed in that to tell you. I have a friend named Xosha Roquemore from The Mindy Project. I will text her and be like, “What is a THOT?” And she’s like, “Oh, that’s like a girl who is trying too hard.” Or I’ll text my friend Chris, “What’s a thirst trap?” And then I’ll drop it in conversation. My wife is like, “How do you know that term?” And I’ll say, “Because I’m young and hip and cool.”
Cena: I just try to live in the moment, but I understand nothing. Especially the acronyms and, like, the abbreviations. Emoji conversation, I don’t get it.