Watch Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is a moving and thoughtful comedy special that premiered on Netflix in 2017. Starring comedian and political commentator Hasan Minhaj, the one-man show explores Minhaj's personal history growing up as the son of Indian Muslim immigrants in America, and the challenges he faced trying to carve out a space for himself in an often hostile world.

From the opening moments of Homecoming King, it's clear that this is a highly personal project for Minhaj. He begins by recounting his experiences as a child growing up in Davis, California, where he says he was one of only a handful of non-white kids in his school. He describes the racism and bullying he faced on a daily basis, including one traumatic incident where he was attacked by a group of white kids who called him a racial slur.

Throughout the show, Minhaj weaves together a series of stories from his life that illustrate the complex intersection of race, religion, and identity that he has struggled with. He talks about his high school crush on a white girl named Bethany, and the way their relationship was shaped by the racist attitudes of her friends and family. He also shares his mother's own story of immigrating to America and the sacrifices she made to give him and his sister a better life.

But perhaps the most emotionally powerful part of Homecoming King is Minhaj's account of his relationship with his father. Although his father clearly loves him deeply, Minhaj recounts how his dad's strict adherence to traditional Indian Muslim values often created a deep sense of distance between them. He talks about the time his father disapproved of a white girl he was dating, and the conversations they had about what it meant to be a successful immigrant in America.

Despite the often heavy subject matter, Minhaj infuses Homecoming King with plenty of humor and enthusiasm. He has a sharp wit and a gift for observation that allows him to find the comedy in even the most painful moments of his life. He's also a great storyteller, using vivid imagery and sarcastic asides to bring his memories to life.

In many ways, Homecoming King feels like a testament to the power of humor and storytelling to bridge cultural divides. Minhaj is clearly passionate about his heritage and his religion, but he's also able to find common ground with audiences of all kinds through his willingness to share his own vulnerabilities and experiences. He's not afraid to poke fun at himself, and he's always eager to connect with the people around him, even if they don't always see eye to eye.

Overall, Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is a fantastic comedy special that manages to be both funny and deeply moving. It's a testament to Minhaj's talent as a performer and his willingness to tackle challenging subjects with humor and grace. Whether you're a fan of his work as a political commentator, or just looking for a good laugh, this special is well worth watching.

Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.