Review: “Pee-wee as Himself” Pulls Back the Curtain on Paul Reubens’ True Story

Pee-wee as Himself is a bittersweet farewell to a comedy icon.

As someone who grew up discovering Pee-wee Herman through syndicated reruns, random movie airings, and late-night talk show clips, I never truly understood the full story behind the man in the gray suit and red bowtie. I wasn’t even born when Paul Reubens’ character became a worldwide phenomenon. But HBO’s Pee-wee as Himself documentary completely opened my eyes to the depth, talent, heartbreak, and humanity of the man who made being weird feel so wonderfully normal.

This two-part documentary, directed by Matt Wolf, runs over three hours total—and yes, that’s long—but it never drags. Instead, it feels like a necessary deep dive, especially since it includes Paul Reubens’ final interview before his death in 2023. It’s technically “unfinished” in the traditional documentary sense, but it feels emotionally complete with Paul’s last words captured on camera.

What surprised me most was how much I didn’t know about Paul’s early life.

Part One focuses on his childhood, his family, and his early creative spark. I had no clue he grew up in Sarasota, Florida—basically a circus town—or that he trained in avant-garde performance art at CalArts. Watching him find his place with The Groundlings and create Pee-wee Herman as a live stage act was fascinating. That part of the story was all new to me, and it made me appreciate his creativity and vision even more.

I’d give Part One a solid 4 out of 5 stars—it’s informative, heartfelt, and sets the stage well.

But it’s Part Two that really hits you in the heart.

This section dives into the height of Pee-wee’s fame with Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which was way ahead of its time in celebrating diversity and individuality. It also doesn’t shy away from the darker moments in Paul’s life—mainly the false accusations and the media takedowns that unfairly tried to cancel a man whose only mission was to bring joy to young people.

Watching this play out brought tears to my eyes. Some were joyful, like seeing behind-the-scenes footage and hearing about the creative process. Others were tears of sadness, especially realizing how deeply misunderstood Paul was and how hard he fought—even in his final days—to clear his name and be remembered truthfully.

The real magic of this documentary is Paul’s vulnerability.

He’s candid, emotional, and sometimes even wary. He sparred a bit with the director, but that only added authenticity to the project. Paul knew how he wanted his story told, and he made sure to share it honestly. The guest interviews were also fantastic. Seeing people like Tim Burton, Laurence Fishburne, Natasha Lyonne, Debi Mazar, and so many others speak openly about Paul gave the documentary even more heart. These weren’t just celebrity cameos—they were true friends and collaborators who knew the man behind the character.

Matt Wolf clearly had a deep love for Paul and his work. In fact, Wolf said he had a Pee-wee Herman pullstring doll hanging above his bed in high school, and a photo he took of it still hangs on his fridge. That kind of personal connection comes through in every frame. He spent years trying to reach Paul for this project, and once he finally did, he gave him the platform he deserved. Not the media’s version of Paul Reubens—but the real one. The artist. The misfit. The man with a pure heart.

Pee-wee as Himself is more than just a documentary. It’s a celebration of an icon, a healing of old wounds, and a final chance for Paul Reubens to show the world who he really was. Part Two especially deserves a full 5 out of 5 stars. It’s emotional, powerful, and unforgettable.

If you ever laughed with Pee-wee, sang along with “Tequila,” or shouted, “I know you are, but what am I?” This documentary is a must-watch. It reminds us that behind every character is a person with hopes, hurts, and a story worth hearing.

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