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Entertainment is a 2015 indie drama film directed by Rick Alverson and starring Gregg Turkington, John C. Reilly, and Tye Sheridan. The film follows the story of a struggling stand-up comedian known as The Comedian, who travels across the Californian desert to perform at various venues, including prisons, bars, and low-budget venues.

The character of The Comedian is played by Gregg Turkington in a mesmerizing performance that captures the essence of a stand-up comedian's struggle to find meaning in their art. The film is not a comedy, however, as it portrays much darker themes of loneliness, isolation, and desperation that is often associated with the life of an artist.

The film opens with The Comedian performing to an empty room at a prison, where he is heckled and ridiculed by the inmates. This sets the tone for the rest of the film, which follows The Comedian as he travels from one location to another, performing to small audiences or no audience at all. The Comedian's jokes are dark, cynical, and often nonsensical, and his demeanor on stage is that of a troubled performer seeking validation.

Throughout his travels, The Comedian encounters various characters who are equally as lost and desperate as he is; a waitress who dreams of being a singer, a lonely truck driver, and a separated couple who are trying to reconcile. These characters serve as mirrors to The Comedian's own struggles, and they highlight the universal themes of loneliness and disconnection that Alverson is exploring through his film.

John C. Reilly plays a small but pivotal role in the film, portraying a character referred to as The Clown. The Clown is a successful comedian who The Comedian looks up to and aspires to be like. Their interactions are awkward and tense, with The Clown rarely acknowledging The Comedian's existence. Reilly's performance is understated and subdued, and he provides an interesting contrast to The Comedian's manic energy.

Tye Sheridan's character is the only one who provides some sense of hope and positivity to the film. Sheridan plays a young man who The Comedian befriends while performing at a hardscrabble saloon. The young man has a genuine appreciation for The Comedian's act and encourages him to keep going, despite the lack of success he's experienced. Their scenes together are touching and provide a much-needed break from the film's otherwise bleak atmosphere.

The cinematography of the film is stunning, with the Californian desert serving as a magnificent backdrop to The Comedian's odyssey. The shots are often long and static, creating a sense of isolation and emptiness that mirrors The Comedian's inner turmoil. The use of natural light and colors is also impressive, with the vibrant oranges and yellows of the desert contrasting with The Comedian's dark clothing and demeanor.

Entertainment is not a film for everyone, but for those willing to delve into its dark and existential themes, it is a rewarding experience. The film portrays the struggles of a comedian trying to find meaning in his art, but it also serves as a commentary on the human condition and our search for connection in an increasingly disconnected world. Gregg Turkington's performance as The Comedian is enthralling, and the film's thought-provoking themes and stunning imagery make it a must-watch for any lover of indie cinema.

Entertainment is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7 and a MetaScore of 65.