This is simultaneously a 6 minute comedy sketch, and a feature length life long horror movie

The fact that he didn't get his longing embrace actually made me feel so sad.

I literally say “I help with box and encourage, Jim” every time I have to move something for someone

i love how certain characters know more than others. some seem deeply invested in their roles in life, like joke guy, others seem like they just accept it as reality, like "hard cut" guy, others question, like party guy and protag, but some choose to embrace the moment while it lasts, even knowing their purpose, but choosing that brief purpose over a prolonged existential dread of what's to come, like loving embrace guy.

You know it's a Joel Haver video when you don't know whether to laugh or to cry from existential dread.

The whole "Longing Embrace" scene is perfect. It's such a mixture of comedy, tragic, and existential horror that you can't help but nervously smile. The acting is so unnecessarily great in that scene.

"Maybe when they play it back, it's like I'm alive again." Something about that line just hits me so hard... I've watched plenty of UKpostsrs who have since passed away, and I've been avoiding watching their old videos to keep from digging up painful memories. But somehow I feel like, even though that probably wasn't the intention of that line, that's what it feels like to me.

this is honestly genius. It feels a lot like how in life we obsess over trying to figure everything out and then in the end its over, and the answer never mattered. We have the option to panic or go along with it and laugh at the joke that makes no sense.

This feels like gaining consciousness during a dream and realizing that nothing makes any sense

This was sad, horrifying, and hilarious at the same time. In other words, INSANEO STYLE

I love how Joel explores the more uncomfortable parts of life, the awkward shadows we pretend don't exist, and avoid at all costs. It takes some balls, good job, Mr. Haver of balls.

That part on the balcony was so well done lmao, that longing embrace guy is a great actor. I actually started to feel bad when he said "i dont think so..... i dont think so....."

Joel just casually drops a cinematic masterpiece

Box Guy is actually a good actor. I felt his pain.

I love how Joel takes a seemingly impossible to modify cliché and flips it on it's head in the most creative way.

That last cutoff just sent chills down my spine the sheer horror while staring at the credits knowing that he won't exist anymore after that

I have this video on repeat so you guys will never die

It's so good. I just wish there was a post-credits scene so I could see Jim alive, one last time.

Props to the balcony scene and those two actors!!! I don’t know whether to be embarrassed at how sensitive I am or impressed at how good their acting is, or both but I teared up a little at the hard cut front he balcony to interior new apartment. Also the composition was so clever in using shots that never had both of them on screen at the same time. It showed that they weren’t in it together like they think, and they’re more alone than they think too.

It takes a special kind of sketch to give you an existential panic attack while laughing your ass off. Kudos, guys, very good job

"I'm...I'm...man with box, moves the boxes" - had me howling

I really appreciate the fact that Joel doesn't always make himself the main character and allows others to have the spotlight!

This is genuinely horrifying and a smart way of breaking the fourth wall. I like how none of the characters made it overly obvious that they were doing so and that they reacted how people IRL would react to world shattering information like that. The subtlety makes it a lot more emotional and funny. Great work!

Its like a universe where existence is strictly only within each cutscene, there is no before, between or after. It's honestly an incredible base for a mind-bending thriller.

... and then I was like "wait, this isn't a comedy sketch, its a tragedy!" Gets me every time.

What's so striking about this is how accurate it feels to when someone does move away, they just kind of vanish into the aether and it becomes like they never really existed at all.

This is one of my favorite videos Joel has ever made. I’ve watched it like 5 times and it’s better every time

I NEED this concept to be a full length movie..I didn't know that I needed it but it's so apparent now. Please, someone make this happen 🙏🏿

“I carry box, I encourage, and then I party” Getting that as my next tattoo that is fucking genius 😂

This would be such a good concept for a psychological horror film

4:15 The "I don't think so..." is legit existentially scary and sad - wasn't expecting it. Lol good stuff bois

Now that I've finished watching this I feel like it's my moral duty to keep replaying this video so they stay alive. But now I feel trapped in my own loop, playing this video over and over again. Is this really what you wanted Joel?

Jim and Ben are both talented and sincere creators in their own right. Joel has highlighted so many worthy entertainers over the last 18 months.

This is genuinely Joel’s magnum opus, the cinematography is amazing, the acting is brilliant, everything is perfect.

This is a disturbingly accurate analogy for life, something I've been struggling to put into words. Joel (and co), you've made another masterpiece.

One day, someone will play this video one final time, and that is the day this group of friends will truly cease to exist.

I want this as an actual plot for a movie. Where the edits and cuts from the director are the cause for the characters suffering. And then there'd be a pre/sequal the first of it's kind where it's the continuation of the past and they'll regain consciousness again within the same movie just reacting with prior knowledge of what had already occurred. It'll be called "THE Director's Cut" and it'll be the greatest thing we've ever seen....

Guy who helps with box and talks on balcony for longing embrace nailed it. Rewatching now to keep him alive

I know nothing about Jim and have no connection to him whatsoever, yet I start rooting for him until the end of the video and feel sad for him. Amazing storytelling all in just 6 minutes!!

I love moments like 2:29-2:30 in Joel's videos where he is about to bust out laughing but it cuts off or he's able to stop himself from cracking up. Always gets me and I have to replay it every time HAHA

Joel Haver drops an existentialist masterpiece and pretends it's a "weeky short film"

I am going to play this on a loop forever, so that these characters never die.

"Maybe when they play it back, it's like I'm alive again." Man

I… don’t think I can ever look at a movie or sketch the same way again. What a masterpiece.

The idea that the characters aren't only self-aware that they are in a video, but also only have the same information that the audience knows from their own vapid, expository dialogue is pretty interesting. In any other sketch like this it would be one character that is totally self aware with everyone else being like "What are you on, dude? Haha." Until it goes too far and comedy ensues, But by making every single character self-aware, it creates this deep existential dread that is shared by all the characters in this little world. In reality, even though we know it's a joke, and these actors will move on from the video itself, the characters themselves won't. They won't exist anymore after the video ends. Each character then has this little motivation to get the most out of each scene where they "exist." It's almost a little metaphor for the moments that you "exist" in other people's lives. When others go away, leave, disconnect from you, all that's left is the memory of you, just like characters in a video. You have to make the most out of the little time you spend on the "screen" of another person.

By my calculations, the characters have gotten to live for five days from the 12,000 people who've viewed the video. And thanks to Joel's script half of that was spent in existential dread without longing embrace

this could be a whole movie. Actually a really good concept.

this deserves a nomination at the oscars' shorts.

The idea that these characters can barely create new sentences and all they can do is repeat dialogue and script directions because that's all that they know is terrifying

I am SO PROUD of Jim! He and I went to high school together and acted in plays and musicals together, so seeing him playing such a big role in a comedy sketch made by Joel makes me so happy for him. If you're seeing this Jim, keep doing what you're doing.

When Joel returns at 5:00 through a voice, it seems like in Joel's universe, the characters do go somewhere (the light?) after their final scene ends (and then maybe Joel figured out how to return again through a voice)

I wish there was an actual movie with this concept

"I help with box and encourage" is my new self-motivational mantra to focus on the small, achievable, but meaningful goals in my life.

"that's my vending machine" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Sticking with the classics

03:20 Just imagining the neighbors in the balcony below them listening in to this conversation.

Every now and then I watch this video so that they may live once more, Jim, Joel, guy who helps with moving, parties, and encourages Jim on balcony, and of course my favorite... guy who tells punch line with no set up

The facial expressions from Longing Embrace guy were so good. Subtle, yet told so much.

Damn, I actually got chills at the balcony scene. A testament to their acting, it feels so genuine.

Petition for Joel to make a sequel to this video so the characters can keep on existing

How he manages to be so philosophical and hilarious at the same time I’ll never know 👏🏾

Still feels weird to have Joel back after he was gone for so long, we're very thankful

I had a friend when I was in High School that always made fun of this trope, so he started doing it in real life. So for example if we were in a group talking and then someone approached us to talk, he'd just shout out of nowhere "AND TURNS OUT IT WAS HIS EX-WIFE!" and then started laughing in a very loud and obviously fake manner (I never knew why that was always the punchline but it was always that phrase). I don't think many people understood what he was doing beyond our friend group but every time he did it I thought it was hilarious.

As someone who has moved around a lot, often starting from scratch and reinventing myself, I always feel like my previous life was a work of fiction, or a totally separate existence lived by a different person. Every time I leave my life behind and start over, I'm born again as someone else.

"i help with box and encourage" this will be my Tinder profile out of context

This is some of Joel's best work, a silly joke executed flawlessly and with heartfelt emotion.

“Maybe when they play it back, it’s like I’m alive again.” I feel like this was a statement from Joel, who I assume wrote this script. Don’t worry Joel, you won’t be forgotten. I have a premonition you’re going to be remembered for a long, long time. Thanks for these sketches :)

i think this is your magnum opus. its kind of genius.

This was such a simple idea yet the execution was brilliant! It has a mix of comedy, existential horror and tragedy. I swear, if this was put up in film festivals, it would be up there.

i've never felt such a mix of humor and existential dread. Masterfully done Joel. ...but like, you never know if it's the last scene with someone in your life. Or your last scene in theirs...

This feels like Stanley Parable. This is so cool! Your skits are the best! Keep it up!

they're slowly peering through the veil but not with full comprehension. Enough to question but not enough information to know.

“I help with box” is giving “You gave be cookie, I got you cookie” vibes

I'd like to watch a movie with this concept, where throughout the movie the characters try to regain consciousness and try to make sense of things but at every new scene they lose awareness and have to regain consciousness and memory and have to continue their quest of trying to make sense.

Joel just hasn’t been the same since he came back from the dead. He’s went full Plato’s cave on these guys.

I love seeing Jim slowly turning existential, you can see his face turn into "what the fuck is life" after the smash cut I love Joel lmaooooo

I can't believe how good the acting was in this. From everyone, but special props to guy who carries box.

I feel like they could make a full-length comedy film with this concept

I laughed so hard at that piñata joke, what a knee slapper that was

Absolutely loved this. How the music didn't stop or change at the party, how scenes would end still, regardless of the outcome. This is absolutely genius and one of the many reasons why I love your work, Joel.

The pacing and structure is absolutely perfect in this one, holy crap!

lmao the acting in this is too good. when they are in character you can tell they're acting but when they start questioning their existence they aren't acting any more and just sound like a real person. Very well done.

Jim’s facial expression at 2:38 as he begins questioning things is amazing. This might be Joel’s best video, it’s perfect

this is a cinematic masterpiece. It made me cry and it gave me goosebumps on several occassions.

I won't replay this. I won't let them live this hell again. Imagine looping it and keeping them trapped forever!

Finally, a realistic answer to a question I've always wondered about.

the last conversation between Jim and Joel had an eternal sunshine of the spotless mind vibe. beautiful 🥲

A true actor fully embodies the role, to the point where they forget all that makes them a person outside the confines of the scene and so must then question the constructed reality they have found themselves occupying.

not high enough or sober enough to handle this one 10/10

A longer form of this would be incredible I just want more of this sketch Joel please they need to exist again

Man, this just hits home. No agency just floating through life one scene to another. Life does feel like a hard cut sometimes. Where did all the time in between go?

“How did we get here” bro is in inception hahaha

I've watched this every day since discovering this video because I need to make sure Jim stays alive.

“And then I said… That’s not a joke- IT’S A VENDING MACHINE!” Hahahahahaha

This concept is good enough to be its own feature length movie, I'd die to ever get to see that

For a "comedy sketch", Joel, this sure filled me with a large amount of existential horror. Great job!

Truly talented comedians will often point out something profound, and I feel like this is one of those times.

Watched this video as a break from studying interpersonal psychology about the human agency and I feel like I learned more from this than the contents of my curriculum. Great job as always!

Wasn't sold on the title but jeez surprising creativity amaze

Right after he put the box down, the world somehow felt even more silent than before the video even started.

Joel has the most unique, genius sketch ideas, man should be in the big leagues by now