Since I first watched Bo Burnham’s new Netflix special Inside, not a day has gone by where I have not listened to the album, read about the creative process, or insisted that someone should watch it – to me, that highlights just how excellent it is. Described as another one of Burnham’s comedy specials, you expect the wit and humour that he has built his career on, not the existentialism that Inside leaves you with. Burnham’s willingness to show vulnerability, whether that is his own or a character’s, is simultaneously uncomfortable and reassuring. The question with Inside is – should it be described as a comedy special? I would argue not.
Obviously, it features Burnham’s typical use of comedy to portray global issues, but there is something more personal about Inside. It is hard to grasp what sections of the special were autobiographical and which were merely a commentary on the year. One scene that is undoubtedly personal for Burnham is ‘All Eyes on Me’ where he discusses his own break from comedy and previous mental health issues. This falls near the end of the special and, as someone who has followed Burnham’s career, it is cathartic to watch. Burnham has spoken openly about anxiety his whole career, and simply states ‘come on in the water’s fine’, which becomes one of many lines from the special that becomes part of your vocabulary.
Even the more comedic scenes manage to leave you in deep thought, partly due to the editing and visuals of the special. The thought that has gone into each decision is undeniable – the clock strikes midnight and he turns thirty at the exact halfway point. It is because of the personal passion that has explicitly gone into this project that you are wholeheartedly invested in it. Every emotion that Burnham is feeling is portrayed so clearly that you have no choice but to empathise and eventually mirror it – this is not always pleasant.
Whilst sections like ‘White Woman’s Instagram’ follow jokes that we have seen before, Burnham immediately combats the initial eye-roll by offering a new perspective. The depth of character that he creates for each of the songs translates not only on screen but through the songs themselves, which is why I downloaded the soundtrack as soon as it was released. The music is brilliant and it feels like the album itself is close to a masterpiece. Combined with the visuals, there is no doubt in my mind that it is.
Overall, Inside, for me, is the best piece of art that has been created in the past year. It was somewhat comforting to see someone else go through a similar mental journey that many people did, and Burnham manages to portray it in an accessible way. Rather than feeling like I had just watched a comedy special, I felt that my own thought process had just been played out in front of me. It really is something special.
5 stars.