One of Netflix’s strongest genres are the stand-up comedy specials, as the platform has partnered with great comedians over the years. Now, Jimmy Carr, the British comedian, has the sixth most-watched movie on the platform thanks to his special “Natural Born Killer.”
The special, which was released on April 16, has climbed the charts since then. In the US, the special has reached the Top 10. While Carr is one of the most controversial comedians right now, it’s clear that he still has popularity among the audience.
However, the fact that Carr has been “canceled” (according to his own words) is a big part of the new special in which he jokes about everything in pop culture, identity politics and more. So, here’s what you need to know about the comedy special.
What critics are saying about ‘Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer’?
The special has received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Ralph Jones from ‘The Guardian’ gave the special one star out of five, and wrote that, while Carr believes he will be canceled, “it’s hard to “cancel” someone who doesn’t believe in anything. A moral vacuum lies at the heart of Carr’s act. What does he think? Who is his show for?”
Meanwhile, Colette Fountain from The Daily Beast says that “The idea that Carr has to pre-warn his audience feels borderline insulting and becomes boring very quickly,” and that this “seem to be his way of ensuring his comedy doesn’t get conflated with his actual beliefs.”
Fountain, however, also says that the show isn’t a “total failure,” as the final 10 minutes of the show, in which he educates a 19-year-old boy on consent, “represent some of the best Carr’s work” and “despite the serious subject matter, it is gut-wrenchingly funny.”
Finally, for Sean L. McCarthy from Decider, Carr’s special is only worthy in the second hour, where he explores if he can still be “edgy” after becoming a father: “Carr could’ve simply led with the bit wondering if he could still be an edgy comedian as a father and avoided the entirely false conceit about cancellation.”
