Watch Lunatics

Lunatics is a Netflix original mockumentary-style comedy series created by and starring Australian comedian Chris Lilley. The show features a diverse cast of eccentric characters, each of whom is portrayed by Lilley. The series debuted on April 19th, 2019. Lilley is known for his previous shows such as Summer Heights High and Angry Boys and with Lunatics, he explores the absurdities of everyday life in a comedic way. The show takes an unconventional approach as it follows six characters - five of whom are new creations, and one of whom is a recurring character from Lilley's previous shows. Each character is introduced in a quick and snappy introductory sequence that highlights their quirks and obsessions.

For fans of Lilley's previous work, there is the welcome inclusion of a familiar face, with the return of Jana, one of Lilley's signature characters. Jana is an overbearing real estate agent from South Africa who previously appeared in the 2007 comedy series Summer Heights High. Her character has always been known for her raucous personality and love of power suits, and she returns in Lunatics, overbearing as ever.

The new characters Lilley has created are just as distinctive - from a creepy pet psychic to a fashion designer known for his outré sex parties. There's also a 7-foot tall college student from California and a 12-year-old South African rap prodigy. In keeping with Lilley's style, these characters are all comedically exaggerated and have their unique personalities and peculiarities.

Each episode is devoted to a different character and the show takes a documentary-style approach, following them through their daily lives. Despite the obvious absurdities, the show is structured in a way that enables the characters and their stories to feel grounded and real, which makes it all the more hilarious.

The format of each episode is structured similarly to that of a reality show, with interviews, voiceovers, and footage of the characters going about their business mixed together. The characters and the scenarios that they find themselves in are largely dominated by slapstick humour, but there are also moments of genuine sweetness and even poignancy.

Lilley's signature style of humour could be described as cringe-inducing, and Lunatics is just as politically incorrect and often surreal as his previous work. The show is full of absurd scenarios and deeply flawed characters, and it revels in making viewers squirm.

Despite the shock factor, there is something undeniably engaging about the characters and their individual journeys. Lilley may be an expert at portraying caricatures, but he still manages to create characters that have relatable and sympathetic traits.

In terms of its visuals, Lunatics is an aesthetically engaging show. The production design is slick and creative, with unusual costumes and props that suit the eccentricities of the characters that Lilley has created. Location shooting is used to great effect, with the show taking us to places that are as varied as a pet cemetery, a South African township, and a Californian college campus, among others.

Some viewers may find the humour in the show too offensive or too crude but it is clear that Lilley is trying to push boundaries and speaks to the current comedic climate. The comedy genre is slowly moving away from conventional punchlines and canned laughter, and shows like Lunatics bridge the gap between scripted comedies and reality shows.

Lilley has a knack for pushing his characters so far that it becomes unclear where the line between what’s exaggerated and what’s real is. As viewers step into the characters' world, they can't help but see a little bit of themselves in them. The show's satire always comes back to the fact that the people Lilley has created are all products of the society in which they live.

In conclusion, Lunatics is a fearless, off-the-wall comedy that will delight viewers who are looking for something more substantial than typical comedies. This show is not for everyone, but if you're drawn towards unconventional humour, you'll probably find yourself laughing out loud at Lilley's absurd and zany characters, as they navigate their way through life.

Lunatics is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between April 19, 2019 and on Netflix