ARE WE GOOD? (2025) review
written by: Julie Seabaugh
produced by: Steven Feinartz, Ethan Goldman, and Julie Seabaugh
directed by: Steven Feinartz
rated: not rated
runtime: 97 min.
U.S. release date: October 3, 2025
“Are we good?” is a question actor/comedian Marc Maron often asks listeners during his “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast episodes. It’s one of his many uncanny ways of connecting with his audience. When he started it back in 2009, he had no idea the interview show conducted out of his garage would become such a lifeline for people or that he would be seen as a podcast trailblazer. His guests have been diverse, interviewing the likes of President Barack Obama, Robin Williams, Sir Paul McCartney, Anthony Bourdain, and a famously contentious chat with comedian Gallagher. Over 1,600 episodes, Maron has developed a knack for conversation that creates a disarming space, often allowing his guests to open up in an intimate, revealing, and frequently hilarious manner.
With the documentary “Are We Good?”, director Steven Feinartz goes back a few years, when Maron was dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and the sudden death of his partner at the time, filmmaker Lynn Shelton. As Feinartz follows Maron during this sensitive time, aligning with the comedian’s own leisurely pace and capturing his self-deprecating, curmudgeonly ways, the documentary becomes a fascinating study of grief management through comedy.
As one would expect, “Are We Good?” covers a good amount of Maron’s past, but what weighs heavily throughout is the impact writer/director Shelton (“Your Sister’s Sister” and “Touchy Feely”) had on his life. Not only was she a guest, but she and Maron would become partners, living life together, and complementing each other in a way that he didn’t know he needed. Feinartz includes photos, footage, and audio recordings of the pair, establishing the trajectory of their connection. Maron also starred in Shelton’s last feature, “Sword of Trust”, which he also provided music for. Not only did they get each other, but Shelton’s positivity and light turned out to be a salve for Maron’s somewhat cynical and anxious disposition.
On May 15, 2020, Shelton died at age 54 at the house she shared with Maron from acute myeloid leukemia after several days of illness. It’s a tragedy that clearly changed the comedian’s life, especially during the pandemic, when he was unable to tour his stand-up routine.
While Maron has often been commended for his interview style, what many listeners (myself included) frequently connected with was his live banter before the recorded interview. This is where he’d usually ask, “Are we good?”, as he pondered, pontificated, and often ranted, about all aspects of life, from broad observations to his own personal insecurities or struggles. I vividly recall hearing Maron acknowledge Shelton’s death for the first time (which is included here) during a specific episode. It was the first time he’d come out and talk about it on air, and it was a raw and tender moment that would become relatable for anyone who’s lost a loved one.
In the following years, Maron would incorporate his complicated feelings of sadness and grief on stage, as seen in his last couple of HBO specials, “Bleak to Dark” (2023) and “Panicked” (2025), often injecting a humorous perspective on the feelings. It was obviously a form of catharsis that he was inviting us to participate in, but it’s also his natural approach to processing life. “Are We Good?” finds Maron working his way back to some normalcy as he works on shaping a set at this stage in his life.
The documentary spends a considerable amount of time at West Hollywood’s The Comedy Store. At this venue, he and many comedians began their careers and continue to return to on the Sunset Strip. We see early footage of a long-haired, clean-shaven Maron as an aspiring comic on stage at the venue, often interacting with the audience (and hecklers) in an engaging, sometimes combative manner.
Feinartz adds other past media appearances and videos, as well as current footage that follows Maron around his home in Glendale, California, which he shares with his two cats, Buster and Sammy. Anyone who’s listened to WTF knows that these felines are both his joy and the bane of his existence. Maron is also seen rummaging through personal photographs at home, as well as a box of Shelton’s belongings that he still has, while also sharing about his family life and his sobriety. We learn that, as he came up in the late 70s/early 80s as a comic, he got caught up in the wave of substance abuse that was common among the live circuit, especially by hanging around Sam Kinison.
The documentary doesn’t delve into how Maron got sober; instead, it focuses on his recent feelings and the topics of his act. Some moments are akin to therapy sessions, but before it goes too deep, Maron either changes the subject or Feinartz cuts away to something else. So, while there are unguarded moments with Maron, often emotional ones about Shelton, which add some engaging intimacy, the documentary also finds its limits.
But maybe that’s part of Maron’s own insecurity and depression, something that is touched upon as well in “Are We Good?”. When he started WTF, there definitely weren’t as many podcasts out there as there are now. He would record two shows a week, and the fact that he’s maintained that pattern ever since (with the help of his producer Brendan McDonald) is impressive. Within those shows, listeners could hear a man often doubt his own abilities and share his career uncertainty. It’s often relatable content that would eventually broaden his listening audience.
“Are We Good?” notes the restorative nature of the podcast and credits that for its success. Feinartz’s camera captures the home recording studio, which began in his garage, as Maron prepares for work and riffs on the microphone before interacting with his guests. “Are We Good?” also makes an effort to simply hang out with Maron, follows him record shopping, converses with other comics, and prepares meals at home.
It would’ve been nice to hear Maron share why he agreed to even do the documentary during these moments, which is something he’d probably share on his podcast as well. That said, there are also moments where Maron is joking with Feinartz, as he questions the importance of what they’re doing. Perhaps if Maron were less involved than he clearly is here, the whole thing would feel more organic and less controlled or structured.
As the documentary draws to a conclusion, much of the ground covered revolves around his 2023 HBO Special, “From Bleak to Dark.” There are also wonderfully touching scenes between Maron and his father, who is suffering from dementia, and who lives in New Mexico, where Maron predominantly grew up. Their interaction is charming and adds a needed sweetness to Maron’s often brusque and sardonic demeanor. On that note, there’s an oddly brief inclusion of his current girlfriend, Kit, considering we’ve spent most of the documentary seeing how deeply impacted he was by Shelton’s death. Yes, time goes on, and we move forward, but perhaps some details about how they met and where he was emotionally when they met would make her inclusion fit less awkwardly.
Throughout the documentary, there is also an assortment of people who know Maron to help contextualize and embellish who this guy is. Comedians who have been WTF guests also show up as talking heads, such as John Mulaney, W. Kamau Bell, David Cross, Nate Bargatze, and Jeff Ross (the latter of whom was Maron’s first-ever WTF guest).
By no means is “Are We Good?” a comprehensive look at Maron. Even listening to all of his podcasts wouldn’t offer that. However, it does allow us to spend some time with a person who has gone through a lot and continues to strive to maintain a sense of humor about it all. While I’m not sure who would come in cold to this documentary, as it seems it’s strictly those who’ve followed or discoverd Maron via WTF, I’m glad it’s out there.
Considering he’s been taking on more acting roles lately, and he recently announced that WTF will come to a close this month, the timing of the documentary’s release feels like deliberate synchronicity.
RATING: ***
