If you’ve spent any time on the weirder side of the internet, you know that Zach Galifianakis is basically the king of making people want to crawl out of their own skin. But when Brie Larson Between Two Ferns finally happened, it felt different. It wasn't just another actor looking for "indie cred" by being insulted. It was a collision of two very specific energies: Zach’s aggressive incompetence and Brie’s razor-sharp, deadpan rejection of it.
Honestly, it’s one of the best segments in the entire Netflix movie.
Most people remember the "period" joke. You know the one. But there is actually a lot more going on under the surface of that five-minute roast. It wasn't just a random PR stop for Captain Marvel. It was a masterclass in how to handle a host who is actively trying to ruin your day.
What Actually Happened During the Brie Larson Between Two Ferns Interview?
The setup for this was part of Between Two Ferns: The Movie, which hit Netflix in 2019. In the fictional world of the film, Zach is on a desperate road trip to complete ten interviews to land a big-time network talk show. Brie Larson is one of the stops.
She walks in looking every bit the Oscar-winning Marvel star. Zach looks like he slept in a dumpster behind a Jo-Ann Fabrics. The tension is immediate.
Zach starts off by calling her "Brie Lars’ Son." Classic. Then he pivots to the really heavy hitters. He asks if she ever thought about "aiming higher" and trying to win Best Actor instead of Best Actress. It’s a total "face-palm" moment that plays perfectly into the show's satirical take on Hollywood’s casual sexism and stupidity.
The "Captain Comic Book" Dig
One of the funniest beats is when Zach attacks the very concept of her superhero career. He asks why they didn't just call the movie Captain Comic Book or Captain We Can't Think of Anything Else.
Brie’s response? A look that could turn a man to stone.
She doesn't play along with the "we're all friends" vibe that most talk shows force on us. She leans into the "I am genuinely annoyed by your existence" persona. It works because it reflects the real-world criticism she was getting at the time from certain corners of the internet—people who claimed she "didn't smile enough" or was "too serious." By being incredibly dry and confrontational on Between Two Ferns, she basically took that narrative and turned it into a weapon.
The Joke Everyone Talks About: "The Two-Parter"
We have to talk about the period question. It's the moment that usually goes viral every few months.
Zach prefaces it by saying he read online that she's very private and declines to answer questions that make her feel uncomfortable. He then says, "This is a two-parter: Is that true, and how old were you when you got your first period?"
It’s gross. It’s invasive. It’s quintessential Galifianakis.
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Brie doesn't blink. She points out that the sentence ends with both a period and a question mark. It’s a literal, linguistic dismantling of his idiocy. This is why the Brie Larson Between Two Ferns episode stands out. Usually, guests either laugh (like Paul Rudd) or look terrified (like Michael Cera). Brie treats him like a fly she’s about to swat.
Was It Scripted?
People always ask this. The answer is: sort of.
The producers and writers, like Scott Aukerman, usually have a list of "insult" questions ready to go. However, the reactions and the follow-up barbs are almost entirely improvised. The "Sorta Uncut" version released later shows just how much they were riffing.
- The Cheese Jokes: Zach tried to claim her name was originally Gorgonzola.
- The Comfort Level: Zach kept trying to "make her feel comfortable" by asking about other cheeses, which only made things worse.
- The Breaks: If you watch the bloopers, you can see Brie finally losing it and laughing, which is a relief because it reminds you she isn't actually a statue of ice.
Why This Specific Interview Ranks So High
Among the dozens of Between Two Ferns guests—including Barack Obama and Brad Pitt—the Brie Larson segment is frequently cited as a top-five moment. Why?
It’s the subtext.
In 2019, Brie Larson was the internet’s favorite lightning rod. The "Brie Larson is difficult" rumors were everywhere. By going on this show and being "difficult" as a joke, she showed a level of self-awareness that her critics usually ignored. She wasn't trying to be "likable" in the traditional sense; she was being funny by being unlikable.
The Evolution of the Show
This wasn't just a web short. It was part of a larger narrative. The movie gave these interviews a weird, desperate stakes-driven context. When Zach insults Brie, he’s not just being a jerk; he’s a failing man-child trying to prove he belongs in the big leagues.
Larson plays the "straight man" (or "straight woman") better than almost anyone else in the film. Her timing is impeccable. You can tell she’s a fan of the format because she knows exactly when to cut him off.
Takeaways for the Casual Viewer
If you’re going to rewatch it, look for the small details. Look at how far away the ferns actually are from the chairs. Notice the terrible lighting.
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Brie Larson Between Two Ferns works because it’s a perfect parody of the junket cycle. Every actor hates doing those 5-minute press interviews where they get asked the same ten questions. This is the "shadow version" of that experience.
What to Watch Next
If you enjoyed the Brie Larson segment, you should definitely check out:
- The Paul Rudd Interview: It’s in the same movie and features some incredible "Aunt-Man" jokes.
- The Benedict Cumberbatch Segment: Where Zach struggles to pronounce his name for about three minutes straight.
- The "Sorta Uncut" YouTube Clips: These have the jokes that were too weird or long for the actual Netflix movie edit.
Ultimately, the interview proved that Brie Larson has a much better sense of humor about her public image than people give her credit for. She didn't just show up; she leaned into the cringe.
Next Steps for You:
Go watch the full "Sorta Uncut" version of the interview on the Netflix Is A Joke YouTube channel. It contains nearly three extra minutes of the "Gorgonzola" cheese riff that didn't make the final cut of the movie. Pay close attention to the moment she almost breaks when Zach tells her not to "flip the f*** out" in public—it's the most human moment in the whole bit.