reviews & features
“An odd mix of stand-up special and “Nomadland,” her effort is both exceptional and characteristic of the try-anything moment in comedy”
-Jason Zinoman
“Watkins documented her long, meandering journey for SPECIALish, beautifully integrating stand-up and self-exploration. This is a story about Watkins finding something—strength, resilience, peace-of-mind—on her own. The comedian wrote, directed and produced the entire documentary herself with a deft, if occasionally heavy, hand.”
- Clare Martin
Review by Paste Magazine
“Currently when you Google Watkins’ name, the results are flooded with links to an astronaut or an Ohio woman who participated in the Capitol Hill insurrection. SPECIALish should convince comedy lovers, if not the algorithm, that that should change.” - Clare Martin
Jessica writes about one of her major directorial choices
“The truth is, to walk along highways for months on end is to take a risk. And staying with dozens and dozens of complete strangers can be dangerous. But I could attach possible “danger” to anything in life. There is no map that can guarantee a safe and pleasant journey. I’ve survived sexual assault and, like many women, I was attacked in a place I thought I’d be safe, by people I knew. But nothing happened to me in the Middle of Nowhere, USA. I looked like a cult leader pushing a cart of moonshine, peeing on the side of the road, camping in bushes, and somehow, I survived unscathed. And you know what? I don’t feel invincible. I don’t feel lucky, even. I feel unafraid.” - Jessica Watkins
Jessica writes for Interrobang
“While on the walk I stayed at campgrounds, state parks, the side of highways, motels, hotels, a tour bus, a treehouse, used travel websites like Warm Showers, Couch surfing, and complete strangers opened up their homes and families to me. Most days I didn’t know where I would lay my head that night, but somehow it always worked out, every place kept me safe. “ - Jessica Watkins
Interview with Rebellious Magazine
“The fact that SPECIALish is arriving at a time when we all just experienced our own year of relative solitude makes the film that much more rich and relatable. Rather than simply witnessing one-woman’s journey, the film feels like a grand odyssey proving anything – from growing closer to loved ones to discovering the joys of nature to starting a new career (or all of the above) – is possible.” - Laurie Fanelli