Quartile rating: 8/10 · 1 rating
On Quartile, Ricky Gervais: Humanity scores 8/10 across five categories — strongest on Acting (Well Above Average), weakest on Plot (Above Average).
Ranked among Quartile’s Top Acting.
In his first special in seven years, Ricky Gervais slings his trademark snark at celebrity, mortality and a society that takes everything personally.
Gervais returns to familiar territory—celebrity culture, atheism, mortality, and social media outrage—with sharp wit but retreads ground well-worn from his earlier specials. His stage presence and comedic timing remain strong, giving the 'Acting' (performance) category a lift. The cinematography is functional stand-up staging, nothing distinctive. Novelty is moderate; the themes are recognisably Gervais but his unapologetic, confrontational voice still has a singular quality. The closing section on Derek and empathy provides a genuine emotional gut-punch that elevates the ending above average.