Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark

Play trailer Poster for Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark TV-MA 2023 1h 4m Comedy Stand-Up Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 4 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Marc Maron explores such universal topics as getting older, antisemitism and faith, and the superiority of having cats over children - especially during the pandemic. The comedian also opens up about the loss of his partner in 2020 and reestablishing his complicated relationship with his father.

Critics Reviews

View More (4)
Craig Mathieson The Age (Australia) It’s a masterful, revealing balancing act. Rated: 3.5/5 Feb 24, 2023 Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times Maron gets laughs from the most somber of subjects. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 10, 2023 Full Review Sean L. McCarthy Decider Even the joke Maron claims is so dark he debated not telling it at all, turns out is just as funny and relevant for our times as when Carlin joked in his final HBO special about going through his address book to cross out the names of his dead friends. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Matt Wilstein The Daily Beast Maron digs deep to turn the tragic loss of his partner Lynn Shelton into comedy gold. Feb 11, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More (15)
Jordy M In From Bleak to Dark, Marc Maron brings his trademark mix of sharp wit, bleak observations, and disarming honesty to the stage. From the very beginning, his energy feels more focused and deliberate than in previous specials, as if he’s leaning fully into both the absurdity and the weight of our current times. The set blends biting social commentary with deeply personal reflections, balancing comedy that provokes laughter with moments that invite quiet reflection. Maron’s humor thrives in the uncomfortable spaces—religion, mortality, aging, and the strangeness of human relationships—but he handles them with a mix of cynicism, vulnerability, and surprising warmth. What makes this special stand out is not just the material, but the way Maron delivers it. His timing, his willingness to experiment with new approaches, and his ability to draw the audience into his worldview all elevate the performance beyond straightforward stand-up. While From Bleak to Dark may not chase laughs every second, it offers something rarer: a genuine connection. It’s the kind of comedy that lingers, not only for its punchlines but also for the truths hiding between them. Verdict: A darkly funny, honest, and unexpectedly moving special that shows Marc Maron at his most thoughtful and resonant. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/29/25 Full Review Bryce R Marc’s not “dark”, just bleak Rated 1 out of 5 stars 08/16/25 Full Review matthias s "Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark" is a unique blend of humor and vulnerability that pulls you in. As a stand-up fan, I had this recommended to me, and I was pleasantly surprised by Maron’s approach. Known for his dark, introspective style, Maron tackles heavy topics like grief, religion, and the heartbreaking loss of his girlfriend. It's incredible how he weaves humor into such profound sadness, creating a dark comedy that’s both honest and relatable. His statements about religion hit with a clever bite, while his reflections on grief carry a raw sincerity that feels refreshingly human. The show’s humor is definitely dark, so if that’s your style, this special will resonate deeply. Maron’s ability to find laughter in life’s toughest moments makes "From Bleak to Dark" stand out. This isn’t just comedy—it’s a cathartic experience. Solid 3.5 stars for pushing boundaries in the best way. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/07/24 Full Review Steven t Wonderful storytelling. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/18/24 Full Review Monique K Searingly honest, Marc Maron at his best. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/24 Full Review J B Some people on here are comparing this special positively to George Carlin? Shame, shame, shame on you. This was a self-indulgent, hackneyed, pseudo-edgy, ego wandering. Carlin's compass was truth, no matter who gets skewered. Maron's compass is a safe progressive world view, seemingly absent of any contradictions or gray areas. If you enjoy comedians who regurgitate mainstream talking points, mocking subversives, and unironic pausing expecting audience applause breaks...this one is a gem. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Movie Info

Synopsis Marc Maron explores such universal topics as getting older, antisemitism and faith, and the superiority of having cats over children - especially during the pandemic. The comedian also opens up about the loss of his partner in 2020 and reestablishing his complicated relationship with his father.
Director
Steven Feinartz
Screenwriter
Marc Maron
Distributor
HBO
Rating
TV-MA (Language)
Genre
Comedy, Stand-Up
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 11, 2023
Runtime
1h 4m