Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things 2025 Movie Review
Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things (2025) is a comedy special that arrives at a time when audiences crave authenticity as much as laughter, and few comedians embody that blend quite like Leanne Morgan. Following the massive success of her Netflix special I’m Every Woman and a sold-out nationwide tour, Morgan returns to the screen with her signature Southern warmth, sly wit, and a fearless approach to life’s most awkward, uncomfortable, and yes—unspeakable—topics. Directed by Jeff Tomsic, who previously worked with other stand-up greats, Unspeakable Things doesn’t just serve as another comedy hour; it feels like a deep, hilarious confession from a woman who’s learned that sometimes, the best way to deal with the chaos of modern life is to laugh right through it. The film finds Leanne performing in front of a roaring Nashville audience, and from the opening moments, it’s clear that she’s not interested in playing it safe. She jokes about aging, menopause, marriage, motherhood, religion, and the absurdities of Southern family life, but always with a warmth that makes even the most scandalous stories feel like they’re coming from your favorite aunt at Sunday lunch.
The structure of Unspeakable Things follows a classic stand-up rhythm, but what makes it distinctive is how Leanne’s humor feels almost novelistic in its storytelling. She doesn’t rely on one-liners or quick punchlines as much as she crafts full stories that reveal both character and truth. Early in the show, she opens with a hilarious story about trying to “age gracefully” while still keeping up with beauty trends that feel designed by people half her age. She talks about Botox, shapewear, and social media filters with the sharpness of someone who has seen every generation’s insecurity and decided she’s too tired to care. Her delivery is effortless; the drawl of her Tennessee accent gives every line a rhythm that lulls you into comfort before she hits you with a devastatingly funny punch. Morgan’s comedy is rarely cruel—she teases the people in her stories but always in a way that’s affectionate. Whether it’s her husband, Chuck, her grown children, or her church friends, everyone becomes part of her tapestry of humor.
What stands out most about this new special is how much Leanne leans into vulnerability. The “unspeakable things” of the title aren’t just taboo subjects like bodily changes or marital frustrations; they’re also the quiet fears of getting older, losing people you love, and feeling invisible in a world obsessed with youth. Morgan has always balanced humor with heart, but here, she goes deeper. There’s a section in the middle of the special where she discusses becoming an empty nester and realizing that, for the first time in decades, her house is quiet. She jokes about rediscovering her husband and “trying to remember if I even like him,” but the humor is underlined with an honesty that resonates deeply. It’s not performative vulnerability—it’s lived experience turned into comedy gold. The audience response throughout these moments is electric. You can hear the recognition in their laughter, the kind that says, “Oh my God, I’ve been there.”
Visually, Unspeakable Things is polished yet intimate. The direction by Jeff Tomsic keeps the camera close to Leanne, letting her facial expressions and small gestures carry the humor. The lighting is warm and flattering, emphasizing the cozy, confessional tone of the performance. There’s nothing flashy about the production—it’s designed to keep all eyes on Morgan, who commands the stage with complete ease. Dressed in her signature pastel blouse and comfortable heels, she looks every bit the Southern mom-next-door, which only makes her bolder material land harder. The set design, featuring soft hues and vintage-style furnishings, reinforces that homey aesthetic, reminding viewers that Morgan’s comedy has always lived at the intersection of domestic chaos and personal revelation.
In terms of content, Unspeakable Things feels more personal and risk-taking than her previous specials. She dives into topics like sexuality in middle age, the unspoken resentments in long marriages, and the pressures women feel to stay “desirable” while juggling motherhood and careers. She jokes that “men get more distinguished as they age, but women just get distinguished from their driver’s license photos,” earning some of the night’s biggest laughs. Yet, beneath the humor, there’s a keen social commentary about gender expectations and the invisibility of women after 50. Unlike some comedians who turn bitterness into punchlines, Morgan transforms frustration into empathy. Her humor doesn’t punch down—it reaches out. It’s one of the reasons she’s become a rare figure in comedy who appeals across generations. Younger audiences see in her a kind of maternal comic sage, while older audiences see a reflection of their own joys and struggles.
The pacing of the special is excellent, balancing big laugh-out-loud stories with quieter, more reflective moments. Morgan knows when to let the audience breathe, when to follow a laugh with a pause, and when to accelerate into another anecdote. One particularly funny segment involves her describing a disastrous attempt at “romance” after a long week of housework and caregiving. It’s both painfully real and wildly funny, the kind of humor born from decades of accumulated absurdities. Another highlight involves her talking about modern parenting and how she doesn’t envy younger moms who have to “brand their babies on Instagram.” She says, “We just tried to keep ours alive and out of jail,” and the room erupts in laughter. These observations may sound simple, but they carry profound cultural insight, revealing how technology and social pressure have changed what it means to be a woman, a parent, or simply a human being trying to hold it all together.
Morgan’s strength lies in her ability to make people laugh without alienating anyone. Her jokes often touch on religion, but she never mocks faith—she teases the culture surrounding it. She jokes about church ladies, prayer circles, and her own confusion about how gossip always seems to sneak into spiritual discussions. “If God’s listening,” she quips, “He’s probably telling us to hush.” These moments resonate with Southern audiences especially, but her delivery is universal enough that people anywhere can connect with the humor. There’s a reason Leanne Morgan’s fan base stretches from rural towns to major cities—her stories feel specific yet relatable.
Musically, the special also has a nice rhythm thanks to subtle transitional cues and the hum of audience laughter that feels constant but not overwhelming. The sound design captures the energy of a live show beautifully. You can feel the crowd’s warmth, the collective sense that everyone in the room is sharing something special. There’s a segment near the end where Leanne takes a deep breath, looks out at the audience, and says, “You know what’s really unspeakable? How much life changes and nobody prepares you for it.” She pauses, smiles, and then adds, “But thank the Lord it’s still funny.” It’s a perfect encapsulation of what she does best—finding humor in the hardest parts of life without trivializing them.
Unspeakable Things also cements Leanne Morgan’s place among the modern greats of stand-up. While many comedians her age fade into niche audiences, Morgan has managed to bridge the gap between traditional Southern storytelling and contemporary comedy. Her voice is refreshingly different from the often-edgy, cynical tone that dominates modern stand-up. She’s proof that kindness and sharpness can coexist, that a joke can make you laugh and feel seen at the same time. The film’s closing moments, where she reflects on her journey from a housewife selling jewelry at home parties to a national comedy star, are inspiring without being self-congratulatory. She says, “I thought my funny stories were just for my girlfriends. Turns out, they were for all of us.” It’s the kind of statement that leaves the audience cheering, not just for her jokes but for the honesty behind them.
In a comedy landscape filled with shock humor and internet-driven punchlines, Leanne Morgan: Unspeakable Things stands out as a triumph of authenticity. It’s smart, heartfelt, and joyfully human. Morgan proves once again that you don’t have to be cruel, controversial, or cutting-edge to be funny—you just have to be real. Every laugh in this special feels earned, and every story feels lived. It’s not just a comedy show; it’s a mirror held up to midlife, womanhood, and the strange, beautiful absurdity of being human. The audience leaves with sore cheeks from laughing and a warm heart from recognizing themselves in her stories.
Ultimately, Unspeakable Things isn’t just Leanne Morgan’s funniest work—it’s her most complete. It captures her evolution as a performer, a storyteller, and a woman unafraid to talk about the things most people whisper about. With her wit, warmth, and impeccable timing, Morgan turns every “unspeakable thing” into a reason to laugh, proving that sometimes the best therapy comes from a joke told at just the right moment. This special will undoubtedly solidify her as one of America’s most beloved comedians, a voice of humor and heart who reminds us that laughter isn’t just entertainment—it’s connection, resilience, and truth. For fans old and new, Unspeakable Things is an hour and a half of pure joy, the kind of comedy that makes you laugh until you cry—and think long after the credits roll.
