Watch Bo Burnham: Inside

Bo Burnham: Inside is a 2021 comedy-drama film released on Netflix that stars Bo Burnham as the writer, director, actor, and editor. The film is a compilation of Burnham's performances during the COVID-19 lockdown, which he recorded in his apartment over a year. Although the majority of Burnham's work has usually been associated with his stage performances or special comedy shows, this film is an introspective and personal look into his life during the quarantine.

The movie begins with a scene of Burnham setting up his camera and microphone to record himself in a single room. The camera shuts off, and then the title sequence starts. This opening sets the tone of the film, which is a deeply personal journey through the isolation of the pandemic.

As the film unfolds Burnham's mental health becomes more and more exposed as he navigates the ups and downs of his creativity in isolation. We see him trying to write jokes, record songs, and even put together what appears to be a satirical news show. But with time, it's evident that Burnham is struggling with his sense of self-worth and the state of the world.

Throughout the movie, Burnham reflects on themes like death, depression, and anxiety as well as more personal issues such as growing older, relationships, and the role social media plays in his life. He showcases an impressive array of satirical and serious songs discussing a range of topics such as sexting, white woman's Instagram, and the internet itself. The songs produced for this film by Bo Burnham are remarkable and among some of his best works.

Despite the intentional limitation of the film's setting, Burnham ingeniously employs lighting, framing, and other cinematic techniques to create an ever-evolving spectacle out of his confined space. This includes humorous visual gags and creative use of sound effects, which are perfectly in tune with Burnham's humor and themes throughout the film.

The film also features a range of interesting spoken-word scenes, such as Burnham's "Welcome to the Internet" monologue. Although Burnham's talent has always been about his composition and delivery, this film showed just how far Burnham's skills expand in terms of editing and storytelling. The film's quick-paced editing, coupled with Burnham's use of silence, creates emotional intensity and adds to the film's intimacy.

Another impressive feature of Bo Burnham: Inside is the way it uses humor and satire to grip the audience's attention while also engaging in more profound, introspective moments. Burnham's humor, along with the witty delivery of jokes and themes, brings a sense of levity, enabling the movie to maintain an equilibrium throughout the darker moments.

By the end of the film, it's revealed that Burnham called the set his 'casket' as he created it out of his growing anxiety and inability to cope with the world. Burnham cleverly used this set to embody his growing sense of depression and existential dread throughout the pandemic while also showcasing how disconnected he was from the outside world.

Overall, Bo Burnham: Inside is a remarkable work that showcases the multifaceted skills of Bo Burnham. It's a testament to how a singular vision can evolve into a cathartic, deeply personal tour de force of creativity. The movie is humorous, thought-provoking, and evocative all at once, making Burnham's work a must-watch for fans of his previous works or newcomers looking to experience an incredibly innovative and heartfelt piece of filmmaking.

Bo Burnham: Inside is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.6.