Watch Drew Michael

Drew Michael is a raw and unfiltered HBO original film that features the stand-up comedy and dark musings of comedian Drew Michael. This unconventional comedy-drama, directed by Jerrod Carmichael and executive-produced by Kanye West, presents an intimate perspective of Michael's life and innermost thoughts, exploring the anxieties and existential dilemmas that haunt him daily.

At its core, Drew Michael is essentially a stand-up special, but it defies the conventions of the genre by eliminating all audience interaction, removing the laughs, and immersing viewers in a surreal and unsettling landscape. Shot entirely in a black void with no graphics, set pieces, or props, Michael delivers his set as a monologue straight to the camera, without a live audience to provide feedback or support. This stripped-down approach provides a unique and unflinching glimpse into the mind of a comic who is skilled at twisting and turning the boundaries of humor.

Throughout the film, Michael gets deeply personal about his fears and worries, from his struggles with intimacy and relationships to his anxieties about the future and society as a whole. He shares his views on philosophy, gender, class, and social media, sometimes with biting cynicism, sometimes with profound melancholy. The lack of laughter from an audience makes his words hit harder and lingers on the screen, forcing viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths and questions that he poses.

Despite the challenging and often bleak subject matter, there is a certain artistry and beauty to Michael's rambling monologues. His existential rants are often poetic and insightful, exposing the contradictions and absurdities of modern life while forcing the audience to reflect on their own experiences. Michael's delivery is slow and measured, with a tendency to pause for extended periods to allow his ideas to sink in, which creates an almost hypnotic effect on the viewer.

Adding to the surreal nature of the film, Michael's monologue is occasionally interrupted by scenes featuring British actress and model Suki Waterhouse. While she only appears briefly, her inclusion provides some welcome visual contrast to Michael's monotonous delivery. In her scenes, she appears engaged in various mundane activities, like brushing her teeth or sitting on a chair, all the while delivering cryptic dialogue that seems at odds with the mundanity of the moment. Her presence serves to break up the monotony and inject a hint of ambiguity into the proceedings.

Overall, Drew Michael is not your typical comedy special, and it's not for everyone. Its stripped-down, minimalist approach is bound to turn off viewers who crave traditional setup/punchline jokes or raucous laughter. However, for those who are in search of something more profound and thought-provoking, Michael's musings are sure to offer plenty of food for thought. It's a bold and uncompromising work that showcases a unique and talented voice in comedy, and is bound to leave an impression on anyone who watches it.

Drew Michael is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.