# The Trial (2017)

> A deadpan mockumentary that follows self-important people whose ambitions keep colliding with their own incompetence.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/1105206

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 6
- Episode runtime: 49 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy
- Network: Adult Swim
- Cast: Tim Heidecker, Gregg Turkington, Curtis Webster, Don Pecchia, Inger Tudor, Alessandro Serradimigni, Manuel Giusti
- TMDB rating: 9.0/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9027566/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: deadpan, awkward, satirical

## What critics say

Critics broadly admire its bold, absurdist deadpan humor, though many find its cringe-inducing style uneven and abrasive.

## Synopsis

This deadpan mockumentary comedy follows a cast of confident, self-important characters whose grand ambitions repeatedly run into their own limitations. A small documentary crew follows them through everyday situations, and the camera captures every awkward pause, misplaced boast, and unearned moment of pride. The tone stays flat and earnest, so the humor comes from what characters fail to notice about themselves rather than from punchlines. Talking-head interviews let the subjects narrate their own failures with complete sincerity, which makes the gap between their self-image and reality widen episode by episode. The show's satire targets vanity, status anxiety, and the modern appetite for public recognition, while its handheld visual style and naturalistic performances make the cringe feel uncomfortably real. Viewers who enjoy comedy that rewards close attention and tolerates discomfort will find a series that is quietly sharp, rarely sentimental, and built for rewatching. Its short episodes and steady escalation make it easy to watch in long stretches, and its mix of sincerity and absurdity gives it a distinctive, lingering aftertaste.

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