🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Justin Folk
- Genre: Documentary, News
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 40min
- IMDb rating: 7.1/10 (11K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Two middle-aged guys go on a road trip because college kids are making it hard to yell controversial stuff without getting booed, apparently threatening the entire nation.
🍿 No Safe Spaces: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Overview: The Core Argument
No Safe Spaces is a documentary that argues that identity politics and the suppression of free speech are expanding within society, posing a threat to American unity. The film explores instances where open dialogue and differing viewpoints are challenged or shut down. It posits that these trends are creating an environment where certain ideas are deemed ‘unsafe’ or unacceptable.

Exploring Campus Controversies
A significant portion of the film focuses on college campuses, often cited as epicenters of the ‘safe space’ phenomenon. It features case studies and interviews related to protests and confrontations that occurred when controversial speakers were invited to speak. The documentary highlights incidents where attempts were made to de-platform speakers or disrupt events, presenting these as examples of free speech suppression.

Key Voices and Perspectives
Hosted by comedian Adam Carolla and political commentator Dennis Prager, the film includes interviews with a variety of public figures known for their views on free speech and cultural issues. These include Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Dave Rubin, Tim Allen, and Ann Coulter. The documentary contrasts these perspectives with examples of opposition and the concept of ‘safe spaces’ in different environments.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Self (Adam Carolla): A comedian and co-host who explores the impact of censorship and political correctness on comedy and broader society.
- Self (Dennis Prager): A conservative talk show host and co-host who examines the state of free speech, particularly on college campuses.
- Self (Jordan B. Peterson): An intellectual who discusses the societal implications of restricted speech and identity politics in the film.
- Self (Ben Shapiro): A conservative commentator who recounts experiences with campus protests and the suppression of speech.
- Self (Dave Rubin): A political commentator who shares his perspective on the issues of free speech and ideological diversity in the film.
- Self (Tim Allen): A comedian who discusses the challenges of performing stand-up comedy in a climate of political correctness.
- Self (Van Jones): A political commentator who offers insights on free speech from a liberal point of view within the documentary.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dennis Prager: “This is why we’re fighting for the soul of America.” – Stated as a conclusion highlighting the perceived stakes of the debate over free speech and identity politics.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $200,000
- Domestic Gross: $1,291,514
- Worldwide Gross: $1,291,514
💥 No Safe Spaces Reviews
Personal Review
Wow, this movie really made me think about what’s happening with free speech today. Seeing Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager go around talking to different people, especially on college campuses, was eye-opening. I felt a mix of concern and frustration watching some of the scenes with protesters shutting down speakers. It definitely highlighted the tension between people wanting to be heard and others wanting to silence ideas they disagree with. While it clearly comes from a specific point of view, the film brought up important questions about dialogue and tolerance that felt really relevant to the world we live in right now. It’s a conversation starter, for sure.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in debates about free speech and censorship”
- “Fans of Adam Carolla, Dennis Prager, Jordan Peterson, or Ben Shapiro”
- “Those interested in conservative viewpoints on current events and culture”
- “Individuals concerned about political correctness and ‘cancel culture'”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some language”
- “Brief violence (related to protest footage)”
- “Discussion of potentially controversial or offensive viewpoints”
Professional Reviews
- Film Critique Weekly: “This documentary largely preaches to the choir, presenting a single-sided view of complex issues surrounding free speech and identity politics. While it highlights some concerning incidents on college campuses, the film offers little in the way of nuanced analysis or engagement with opposing viewpoints. The production feels more like a collection of talking points than a deep dive, unlikely to persuade anyone not already in agreement.
- Cinema Insight Online: “Featuring familiar faces from conservative media, ‘No Safe Spaces’ rehashes arguments widely available online. It focuses heavily on anecdotes of speakers facing backlash, portraying it solely as censorship rather than examining the dynamics of protest and counter-expression. While the topic is relevant, the execution lacks depth, resorting to simplistic narratives and occasional jarring animated segments.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers found the film to be a crucial look at threats to free speech, especially on college campuses.: The film effectively highlights perceived issues with political correctness and the importance of the First Amendment. Audiences appreciated hearing from the featured speakers and felt it validated their concerns about censorship.
Overall Consensus: Audiences largely found ‘No Safe Spaces’ to be an important and validating exploration of challenges to free speech from a specific viewpoint, while critics tended to dismiss it as one-sided propaganda lacking analytical depth.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “A credit sequence in the film lists individuals who were asked to be interviewed but declined.”
- “The film includes animated segments explaining concepts like the First Amendment.”
- “Filming included locations like the Laugh Factory Comedy Club in Los Angeles.”
- “The documentary focuses on incidents that occurred primarily during the Obama administration, explaining the absence of footage related to Donald Trump.”
🖥️ How to Watch No Safe Spaces?
As a documentary released in 2019 focusing on contemporary issues, ‘No Safe Spaces’ may be available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Its availability on subscription streaming services can vary over time, so viewers should check major platforms for current options. Physical copies like DVD or Blu-ray may also be available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed No Safe Spaces, you might like these similar films:
- Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992): A classic documentary exploring how media systems can shape public discourse and limit expression, offering a different perspective on the control of ideas.
- Inherit the Wind (1960): A fictionalized drama based on the Scopes ‘Monkey’ Trial, centering on the fundamental right to free thought and speech against societal or institutional dogma.
- The Social Dilemma (2020): Examines the impact of social media platforms on society, including their role in political polarization, spread of misinformation, and shaping public discourse, a modern context for free speech issues.
- After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News (2020): A documentary that explores the real-world consequences of online disinformation, touching on the challenges of discerning truth and controlling narratives in the digital age.
- Bowling for Columbine (2002): A highly polarizing and opinionated documentary by Michael Moore that uses a strong central voice to tackle controversial social issues, often appealing to audiences interested in provocative commentary.
🛒 No Safe Spaces Related Products
- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos: A bestselling book by featured speaker Jordan Peterson, offering principles for living a meaningful life, drawing on psychology, mythology, and philosophy.
- The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great: Authored by another featured speaker, Ben Shapiro, this book argues that the foundational principles of Western civilization are under threat and need defending.
- No Safe Spaces – Digital Download: Own or rent the film digitally to watch anytime, anywhere.
- The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandemics Are Corrupting America’s Universities: Although not featured in the film, Heather MacDonald is mentioned as a relevant voice. This book provides a critical look at identity politics within higher education.
🎧 Soundtrack
No Safe Spaces features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘No Safe Spaces’ is a documentary hosted by Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager that examines the state of free speech and the impact of identity politics and ‘safe spaces’ across various areas of American society, particularly on college campuses.
The documentary features its hosts, Adam Carolla and Dennis Prager, as well as interviews with numerous individuals including Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Dave Rubin, Tim Allen, Ann Coulter, Alan Dershowitz, Sharyl Attkisson, Karith Foster, Robert P. George, Heather Heying, and Van Jones.
‘No Safe Spaces’ may be available for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Availability on subscription streaming services varies. Check major digital storefronts for current viewing options.
The documentary ‘No Safe Spaces’ has a running time of 1 hour and 40 minutes.
‘No Safe Spaces’ is rated PG-13, primarily for some language and brief violence depicted in scenes related to protests or confrontations.
🔥 Bonus Content
The Simpsons take on Social Justice Warriors
Ever feel like modern PC culture has gotten a bit… extreme? This clip shows even The Simpsons, a show that usually tackles social issues head-on, took a shot at it, making you wonder if the movie’s points about ‘SJWs’ have some truth to them. It’s funny, and surprisingly relevant!
Adam Carolla’s White Privilege
Curious how the stars of ‘No Safe Spaces’ tackle sensitive topics like white privilege head-on? Check out this clip from their live tour where Adam Carolla gets surprisingly candid – it really gives you a sense of their approach in the film.
No Safe Spaces: Why You Need To See This Movie | Dave Rubin | FREE SPEECH | Rubin Report
For a deeper dive into *why* this movie matters and how it connects to bigger conversations about free speech and cancel culture, you gotta watch Dave Rubin break it down. He interviews a lot of the film’s guests, so his perspective adds a ton of context – feels like a great companion piece to the movie itself!
Comedian Dennis Miller reacts to No Safe Spaces movie
Want to know what famous comedian Dennis Miller thought about ‘No Safe Spaces’? Spoiler alert: he’s a big fan! His reaction gives you a quick feel for how the movie resonates with certain public figures, and it’s interesting to hear his take.
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