Adrienne Iapalucci “The Dark Queen” Netflix Special [Comedy Review]

Recently, we saw the release of Adrienne Iapalucci’s new stand-up special for Netflix, The Dark Queen. The show, directed by Louis C.K. and produced by Ari Shaffir, was filmed at New York’s renowned Comedy Cellar last fall and catches the comedian at her most hilariously acidic.

Adrienne’s reputation as one of the most in-your-face comic performers around has grown rapidly over the last few years with multiple accolades and awards, including winning the People’s Choice award at the first New York Comedy Festival. She is also rapidly becoming a favourite of contemporary comedians from Chris Rock and Neal Brennan to Patton Oswalt.

Anyone who saw Adrienne’s previous Netflix show, Degenerates, will know that her material is not for everyone. No one is spared in her machine gun approach of slaying every modern taboo, from the Middle East, School shootings, 9/11 and Ukraine to abortion laws, immigration, and trans folk. Much like other shock comics such as Jerry Sadowitz and Ricky Gervais, we know that this is only an act, and if pushing buttons is her POA, then she succeeds a hundredfold in just under an hour.

Pulling out lines as examples probably doesn’t help as the detail is in the context, but perhaps the following quote will offer a guide as to the level to which Adrienne is prepared to rise (or sink, depending on your viewpoint):

“I dated a guy who was a first responder on 9/11, which was hard because everyone thought he was a hero. I kind of felt like I’m the hero, having to hear him talk about it all the time.”

It may seem like too soon to be cracking those jokes, but there are much more contemporary gags in here that really push those boundaries. A routine concerning being washed up on the beach at Epstein Island and having to join in before being allowed a phone call is one example of how extreme this humour is.

Whilst the act pretty much hits the mark most of the time, there are still moments when you can feel the tension in the room, the crowd pausing before laughing on more than one occasion. Adrienne questions the issue of school shootings…

“We have a lot of school shootings in this country, some people say too many, some people say not enough – depends what side you’re on.”

The comment is contextualized with, “If you have kids and you love them, you have to send them to private school… ‘Cause there’s way less shootings there. But I get it you know, you need to redo your kitchen.”

This is close-to-the-bone humour, and murdered kids may seem a cheap shot. But alongside Muslims, trans, Puerto Ricans, and the Black community, there is a sense that nobody is going to get away with it tonight.

Even the most open-minded might find the entire show difficult at times, but if you keep repeating, “It’s only an act,” you might find yourself laughing along.

It’s a dark mirror to society, as most quality comedy is, and it makes us question how we have got to where we are in the world and what a mess we’re in. Her character is a parody of the middle-class/Republican attitudes that have allowed Donald Trump to become President of the United States once more.

Avoid if easily offended. Otherwise, enjoy.

Director: Louis C.K.
Writer: Adrienne Iapalucci
Starring: Adrienne Iapalucci
Produced by: Lea Cohen Zuckerman
Distributed by: Netflix
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Run Time: 52 mins

Adrienne Iapalucci Netflix Special cover