Ricky Gervais: Armageddon 2023 Movie Review

About Ricky Gervais: Armageddon

This Christmas Day, it’s time to tune in to some laughs, thanks to Ricky Gervais. The British comedian’s newest standup special, Ricky Gervais: Armageddon, debuts on December 25 on Netflix. The writer-actor is back to what he knows best, making people laugh. In the one hour special, Gervais brings back his regular brand of humour.

Ricky Gervais Armageddon: Comedy Routine

Like most standup comedians, Ricky Gervais finds humour in the ordinary from small insects to babies, and larger issues including political correctness. The tone of this newest special is unapologetic and even a little rebellious. The creator of the popular UK show, The Office, often came under fire for his infamous stints hosting the Golden Globe awards where he made jibes at the A-list talent assembled in the room and made the news.

Gervais was also pulled up for his previous comedy specials being too mean. This special even comes with a warning for ‘discrimination’. But the comedian does care about being called out and he mentions it repeatedly as he doubles down on making jokes on anyone, even including quips on rapes and mocking babies being born in Africa with AIDS. According to him, everyone is fair game.

There are moments when he makes a few relevant points, like when he states about humanity, “We’re just one species of narcissistic ape.” Gervais also has some good insights into certain issues like religion as he explains his atheism.

Ricky Gervais Armageddon: Critique

This method can work in certain bits and pieces, and in most portions of Armageddon, it does feel like the comedian has turned more callous. It’s harder to find the laughs in his mostly complacent material.

The biggest criticism of Gervais’s comedy is that he hasn’t evolved much over time, as some of the younger, and even older comedians. The comedian wants to see how far he can push the envelope and in Armageddon even tell his audience that he’s now ‘woke’.

Gervais has stuck with a stance since the beginning and has stayed stubbornly by it especially in his previous Netflix specials SuperNature and Humanity. Maybe for his next one, Gervais can look into that. If you are looking for vintage Gervais, then check out his series After Life on Netflix. His fictional version in the dramedy is more insightful.