Film
Bert Kreischer: The Machine
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
Bert Kreischer spins absurdist tall tales with infectious energy and physical comedy, treating outrageous anecdotes like stand-up theater. It's loose, profane, and relentlessly enthusiastic—perfect for anyone who loves a storyteller who commits fully to the bit and doesn't mind when the joke gets messy.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you love a comic who is really a storyteller, the kind who lets a wild anecdote unspool with loving detail and a sly awareness of how absurd his own life has been.
Skip it if you want sharp, fast jokes or a tight narrative; this is one man talking at length, and the rhythm of the stories depends on his voice and patience.
What it asks of you: Around seventy minutes of sitting with a single performer, no plot to track, just a sequence of tall tales that build toward a good laugh rather than rushing you through them.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City2018
Mulaney builds absurdist narratives just like Kreischer, but with tighter construction and a focus on recognizable everyday moments exploded into surrealism. Same energy, more architectural precision.
But His delivery is much more controlled and deadpan. If you love Kreischer's unbridled enthusiasm, this might feel restrained by comparison.
Russell Peters: Almost Famous2016
An international storyteller with infectious enthusiasm who builds his comedy around personal anecdotes and observations. The energy matches Kreischer's, just with different subject matter.
But His comedy relies on cultural stereotypes and imitation humor, which can feel dated or one-note after a while.
Joe Rogan: Strange Times2018
Rogan builds narratives from personal experience with genuine investment in the weird details. He's a storyteller first, and that commitment creates moments of real comedy.
But His material can meander, and some bits feel like they needed another draft. He trusts the audience's patience perhaps too much.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Bert Kreischer: The Machine
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
I'm Still Here2010
Both are extended performances where the subject commits absolutely to the persona, blurring entertainment and reality to explore what it means to be watched.
Joaquin Phoenix's documentary-styled performance art piece about a celebrity's total breakdown and reinvention. It has the same commitment to the bit as Kreischer's storytelling, but stretched across an entire film with genuine stakes and existential weight.
But It's ambiguous whether Phoenix is acting or having a real crisis, which makes it uncomfortable rather than fun. Some viewers find it pretentious or mean-spirited.
More like this (3)
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra2016
Fearlessly committed storytelling with no filter, building long-form narratives from personal chaos. She shares Kreischer's willingness to look ridiculous in service of the story.
But Her material is extremely graphic about bodily functions and sexual content. It's not for every audience or every mood.
Tom Segura: Mostly Stories2016
Segura mines his personal history for extended narratives, building humor through detail and commitment. He's a storyteller who trusts the long form.
But His delivery is understated compared to Kreischer. Fans of high-energy performance might find him too laid-back.
The Toys That Made Us2017
Both take material that could be shallow and make it compelling through sheer storytelling commitment and detail-oriented delivery.
A documentary that tells a sprawling business narrative through personal anecdotes and archive footage, treating a consumer product with genuine enthusiasm and unexpected depth. It shares Kreischer's gift for making a tall tale engaging.
But It's a Netflix nostalgia doc about a doll. If you have no investment in the subject, the format itself won't carry you.
People
Cast
Bert KreischerHimself
Directing
- Ryan PolitoDirector
Writing
- Bert KreischerWriter