Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) is a British stand-up comedy special. It is written and performed by Ricky Gervais and directed for the filmed special by John L. Spencer.
The hour was recorded as part of Gervais’s 2025 “Mortality” world tour and filmed during an extended run at the London Palladium. Netflix will distribute the special globally, which the streamer lists for release on December 30, 2025.
Ricky Gervais: Mortality Age Rating
Netflix lists Ricky Gervais: Mortality with a mature audience classification, and in U.S. streaming terms the special is officially rated TV-MA for pervasive strong language, adult themes, and provocative comedic content. The Netflix description highlights the show as “brutally honest,” and both Netflix and industry press confirm its global premiere on December 30, 2025.
Violence & Peril
This is a stand-up, not an action show, so there is no physical violence or peril as a storytelling device. Any references to death or real-world tragedies are used as dark comic material or illustration. The risk to viewers is emotional: some jokes treat sensitive topics like death and grief with blunt satire. Expect material that could feel unsettling rather than physically frightening.
Language
Language is the most prominent reason for the mature classification. The show contains pervasive, uncensored profanity delivered aggressively and repeatedly. Expect frequent use of strong expletives and blunt, adult phrasing aimed at shocking or provoking. That language alone will likely make this unsuitable for younger teens.
Mature Themes
Mortality is explicitly about life, death, and the meaning of existence, and Gervais frames those subjects through dark, confessional comedy. The special contains controversial takes on religion, social issues, and the human body. There are likely crude sexual references and frank mentions of bodily functions. These themes are handled in a confrontational, adult way.
Is Ricky Gervais: Mortality Suitable for Teens?
Ages 10–12: No. The pervasive strong language and explicit adult references make this wholly inappropriate for preteens.
Ages 13–15: No. Early-to-mid teens should not watch without a parent present and careful screening. The tone is deliberately provocative and often aimed at adults.
Ages 16–17: With guidance. Mature older teens might understand the philosophical framing. Parents should pre-screen and be ready to discuss the material and context.
Final recommendation: This special is intended for adults. For most families, the safest choice is to restrict viewing to viewers 18+. Netflix’s mature classification and the special’s content support that decision.
What Parents Can Do
Watch first: Preview the special to judge tone, language, and whether your teen can handle the subject matter.
Explain the context: Prepare to discuss why comedians use shock and satire to explore hard topics like death and religion.
Use it as a conversation starter: If an older teen watches, follow up with a calm discussion about mortality, empathy, and media taste.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the official rating for Ricky Gervais: Mortality?
A:
Q: Is Mortality appropriate for kids or teens?
A: No for kids and younger teens. Older teens (16–17) may watch with parental guidance and pre-screening.
Q: Are there scary or violent scenes?
A: No staged violence. The material includes frank talk about death and tragedy used for dark jokes.
Q: How strong is the language?
A: Very strong and pervasive. The show uses repeated, uncensored profanity throughout.
Q: Is there sexual content or nudity?
A: Expect crude sexual references and bodily humor. This is handled in dialogue and jokes rather than explicit visuals.
Q: Where and when can I watch Mortality?
A: The special will stream globally on Netflix on December 30, 2025.