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My Name is Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique

Netflix · 2023 · 77 min

Mo'Nique returns with a deeply personal, highly polarized stand-up set.

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Mo’Nique spends most of this hour explaining why she is the way she is, presenting a defensive, heavily autobiographical set that often functions more like a theatrical monologue than a standard stand-up act. She focuses on her upbringing in Baltimore, from her childhood placement in a special education program to her grandmother’s highly graphic sex advice. The material is intensely personal, building toward a lengthy, complicated story about family secrets, repressed desires, and her Uncle Tina that serves as the show’s emotional anchor.

The performance represents the resolution of a highly publicized, years-long standoff with Netflix. After suing the streaming service for pay discrimination in 2019—a legal battle sparked by what she called a lowball $500,000 offer—the Oscar-winning actress settled with the company in 2022 to produce this hour. Filmed at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta, the special served as her high-profile return to a mainstream platform.

Audience response was deeply divided. While some praised her vulnerability and the theatrical structure of her storytelling, others were put off by the relentless profanity and a perceived lack of traditional setup-punchline mechanics.

The set list

4 bits

  1. Being placed in a special education class in middle school because her mother could not read

    Explores the blatant racism, teacher and student discrimination faced by special needs children, and the friends made along the way.

  2. Staring down a racist teacher and standing up to high school bullies

    Recounts childhood moments of defiance and standing her ground against mistreatment.

  3. Grandmother Mimi's warnings about men and early explicit sexual encounters

    Reflects humorously on getting into trouble due to a lack of proper sex education and conversations with adults.

  4. The closer (spoiler). Show it

    Revealing a long-held lifelong secret closer

    A heartfelt, emotional confession about societal preconceptions and finding strength through her husband's acceptance and support to live as her true self.

How it plays

Tone
Intimate, raw, emotional, candid, and defiant
On stage
Loud, energetic, candid, and fearless storyteller who shifts into a serious, sophisticated, and emotional presence during vulnerable revelations.
Pace
Exuberant, high-energy delivery with command over the room, alternating between animated comedic storytelling and serious, meaningful pacing.
About
Her upbringing in Baltimore, Racism and discrimination, Special education placement in childhood, Sex education and early sexual encounters, Personal secrets and self-acceptance, Marriage and support from her husband

What the critics said

Praised for its emotional catharsis, powerful stage presence, and storytelling ability, though some critics felt it leaned more toward an intimate talk than traditional standup due to fewer punchlines.

In the room: Energetic and commanded by her presence, though eliciting divided reactions among viewers regarding its extensive profanity and serious tone.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: bbfc.co.uk, etonline.com, blackenterprise.com, imdb.com, leisurebyte.com, essence.com, rottentomatoes.com, www-s1.npr.org, en.wikipedia.org, blackfilmandtv.com.

Backstory

Filmed following the settlement of her 2019 racial and gender discrimination lawsuit against Netflix, as well as reconciliation with director Lee Daniels after being estranged since 2009's Precious.

Details

Released
Taped
2022, Georgia State University's Rialto Center for the Arts
Runtime
77 min
Where
Netflix
Director
L. Frazier
Topics
Before
One Night Stand (2004)

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