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Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer

  • TV Special
  • 2023
  • TV-MA
  • 56m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
8.5K
YOUR RATING
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer (2023)
Chappelle performs stand-up in latest Netflix comedy special.
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
3 Photos
Comedy

From his onstage tackle to the slap heard round the world, the comic lets loose in this freewheeling and unfiltered comedy special.From his onstage tackle to the slap heard round the world, the comic lets loose in this freewheeling and unfiltered comedy special.From his onstage tackle to the slap heard round the world, the comic lets loose in this freewheeling and unfiltered comedy special.

  • Director
    • Stan Lathan
  • Writer
    • Dave Chappelle
  • Star
    • Dave Chappelle
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    8.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stan Lathan
    • Writer
      • Dave Chappelle
    • Star
      • Dave Chappelle
    • 79User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 0:31
    Official Trailer

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast1

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    Dave Chappelle
    Dave Chappelle
    • Director
      • Stan Lathan
    • Writer
      • Dave Chappelle
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews79

    7.08.5K
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    Featured reviews

    8genious-35413

    Un-Cancelable

    At this point, no review is going to make a difference. You're either going to like him or you're REALLY not going to like him because you can't allow yourself to like him. For fans of comedy and especially Chappelle, his opening bit is crafted perfectly - recounting how I got to meet a hero of his and how it relates to his ongoing views of people that say they want to be treated just like everybody else EXCEPT when it comes to jokes. Which, kind of makes them just like everyone else. It's time for people to stop getting so bent out of shape and enjoy and appreciate jokes about people - especially when it's jokes about your own kind. If you're somehow not sure whether to watch this - just give it a try and try to appreciate it for what it is.
    6lemasive

    A moment with Dave Chappelle

    This special is made for people who want to be Dave Chappelle's friend, it's a slow-paced monologue dealing with his own experiences and situations. While he is an excellent storyteller, it's not funny or engaging as the material is drawn out way too long.

    I'm not a person who has heroes or looks up to people, but I think this special is made for those who like the concept of Dave Chappelle and want to spend time with him.

    This special is a reminiscence of something one would find a good host at a party doing.

    So the act itself is Dave Chappelle but much more tired and expected, there are of course some shock value in the act, however, it's something we know will come and the entire audience knows what is coming.

    I recommend this special to those who are fans of Dave Chappelle, but if you're looking for a fun stand up you can probably find better.
    6Airman87

    The return of preachy Dave... Has some humor, but there isn't much.

    Fortunately for comedy, The Dreamer and Chappelle once again go out of their way to prove no one deserves special treatment or should be off limits from being the recipient of a joke. Unfortunately for us, Dave spends a large chunk of this special for 'story time with Dave' rather than focusing on the laughs. The setups for many punchlines are often too stretched and segue into other life stories.

    Preachy Dave is back, going on a long-winded and somewhat incoherent set of stories from Russian Mobsters to Lil Nas X. The ending of the special really ruined an otherwise typical set for Chapelle. It came off as a self-absorbed sermon devoid of humor. Chapelle is one of the GOATs, and it's disheartening to see him feel the need to flaunt such borderline narcissistic behavior.

    I hope Dave can get back focused on his next special. Give us a comedian doing an hour of comedy ravaging everyone and everything, not a pastor preaching a life full of dreams.
    7AR_Zidane

    Dave Chappelle tests boundaries

    "You need to be wise enough to realise you are living in your dream.

    And you need to be humble enough to know when you are in someone else's dream."

    One of the weakest Dave Chappelle specials. But it doesn't mean that it's bad. It's still pretty good. Dave shares some nice stories with the audience. The final segment about dreamers was quite good, and a bit dark also.

    But Dave doesn't dive deep into politics and there isn't much profoundness in his comedy here that can be found in his other specials. Mostly plays it safe. But he still does a fair share of jokes that will surely get this special some attention from the easily offended group of people (not the handicapped guys). But as a fan who considers Dave Chappelle to be a legend, this was a bit underwhelming.

    "That's what men do.

    Men make boundaries.

    Men enforce boundaries.

    Men test boundaries."
    8ThurstonHunger

    Life is but a dream?

    Grateful for the New Year's Eve tradition and Dave coming down the electric chimney. And DC from DC, 24 years in....all part of an exquisite package.

    Dave's got jokes, but the key is how he let's them out of the safe deposit box. He's a very gifted story-teller, and he's had a life where even his nightmares can be spun into comedy gold. Maybe I should say especially his nightmares.

    He's still targeting wokeness in part, and he landed somewhat early on this beaches to be fair. By no means the first, as I'm sure he'd admit. The opening is masterful, and if you expected him to back down on any front, I think you've not watched much of him. So maybe you'll skip this.

    It's like if you got on a rollercoaster, you are not getting off until the ride's over.

    The detail in putting this together is just fantastic, even lampooning the mandatory ovation/encore. Verbal throwbacks, someone could analyze the moves like a chess match and destroy every last ounce of humor.

    See it now, before details leak or your kids threaten to disown you if you watch it. By the way, they are wrong....but we love them anyways.

    I'm not sure enough people get healthy amounts of deep sleep to be living a waking dream but it would be nice. Like a Steph Curry three-pointer, Dave's dream weaving comes with a hefty amount of work to match the god-given (or I prefer the idea of god-stolen) talent.

    Hmmmm, now I sort of wish "Deborah" had been "Mary Lee" - as in Mary Lee, Mary Lee, Life is But a Dream. Even if your life is less dreamy than you'd like, I hope this special makes you laugh and think a little. Ideally with someone you love nearby....

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Referenced in The Matt Walsh Show: The Fentanyl Crisis Is Destroying Our Country and Our Leaders Couldn't Care Less (2024)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 31, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Production trailer
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Дейв Шаппелл: Мрійник
    • Filming locations
      • Washington DC(Lincoln Theater 1215 U ST NW Washington DC 20009)
    • Production companies
      • Netflix Studios
      • Netflix
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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