Back to trending
Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True

Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True

Documentary · Comedy · 2011

In the world of stand-up comedy in South Africa, Trevor Noah uses his childhood experiences in a biracial family during apartheid to prepare for his first one-man show.

Movie details

Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True

2011 Documentary · Comedy 1h 24m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

In the world of stand-up comedy in South Africa, Trevor Noah uses his childhood experiences in a biracial family during apartheid to prepare for his first one-man show.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

Richard Pryor: Here and Now

Comedy · 1983

One of comedian Richard Pryor's later stand-up performances. As foul-mouthed as ever, Pryor touches on most of the same topics as in his previous live shows. Filmed at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans.

Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping

Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping

Comedy · 2016

Patton Oswalt delivers a fresh hour plus of stand-up, covering everything from misery to defeat to hopelessness. It's his most upbeat special to date.

Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given

Kevin Hart: Zero F**ks Given

Comedy · 2020

Kevin Hart serves up laughs and brick oven pizza from the comfort of his home, and dishes on male group chats, sex after 40 and life with COVID-19.

Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special

Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special

Comedy · 2022

In his final comedy special, Norm Macdonald ponders casinos, cannibalism, living wills and why you have to be ready for whatever life throws your way.

Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward

Anthony Jeselnik: Fire in the Maternity Ward

Comedy · 2019

Forging his own comedic boundaries, Anthony Jeselnik revels in getting away with saying things others can't in this stand-up special shot in New York.

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation

Patton Oswalt: Annihilation

Comedy · 2017

Patton Oswalt, despite a personal tragedy, produces his best standup yet. Focusing on the tribulations of the Trump era and life after the loss of a loved one, Oswalt continues his journey to contribute joy to the world.

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Comedy · 1982

Richard Pryor's stand-up act includes his frank discussion about his freebasing addiction, as well as the infamous night on June 9, 1980 that he caught on fire.

Windy City Heat

Windy City Heat

Comedy · 2003

A man caught up in the glamor of being a Hollywood celebrity has no idea that the production he's in is a fake.

Kevin Hart: What Now?

Kevin Hart: What Now?

Comedy · 2016

Comedian Kevin Hart performs in front of a crowd of 50,000 people at Philadelphia's outdoor venue, Lincoln Financial Field.

Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction

Comedy · 2009

HBO presents one of the most gifted and revered performers of our time, Academy-Award winning Robin Williams, starring in his fifth exclusive HBO special, taped before a live audience at Washington's Constitution Hall.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

David Paul Meyer

Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah

Self

Loyiso Gola

Loyiso Gola

Self

R

Rabin Harduth

Self

Kagiso Lediga

Kagiso Lediga

Self

David Newton

David Newton

Self

Court is in session

Put Trevor Noah: You Laugh But It's True on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.