Ali G: Who Iz I? Is So Unfunny It’s a Little Evil: Review
Twenty-two years after *Da Ali G Show* ended, Sacha Baron Cohen returns to the character in *Ali G: Who Iz I?*, which follows Ali’s attempts to revive his fame as he prepares to become a father. The review argues that the film’s mix of a scripted comeback story and pranks involving unsuspecting people undermines both, leaving a muddled and largely unfunny result.
The 89-minute film has Ali approach HBO, then turn to online platforms such as TikTok, where he gains some success but also faces criticism. Baron Cohen also brings back characters from *Who Is America?*: Dr Nira Cain-N’Degeocello tries to expose Ali, while Erran Morad recruits MAGA sympathisers by falsely telling them Ali is a Mexican immigrant. The review says the civilian encounters often fall flat and that the film’s threats of kidnapping and attempted murder make its comedy feel troubling.
In short
- Ali G returns 22 years after his television show ended.
- The film mixes a comeback story with prank scenes.
- The review finds the comedy muddled and uncomfortable.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The film can be defended as a deliberate collision between scripted comedy and real-world provocation: Ali’s faltering comeback gives the pranks a story, while the encounters test how people respond to falsehoods and political performance. Its outrageous threats may be intended as an escalation of the character’s absurdity, using discomfort to challenge audiences rather than simply win laughs.
The case against
The review’s criticism is that the film’s competing formats weaken each other: the comeback plot lacks momentum, while the encounters with unsuspecting people often fail to produce effective comedy. Threats of kidnapping and attempted murder may also make the pranks feel troubling rather than satirical, leaving the film muddled and unfunny.
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