Barry (2018)

Barry is a darkly comic crime drama about a disillusioned Midwestern hit man who travels to Los Angeles to carry out a job and unexpectedly finds a possible new life in the city’s theater scene. Pulled into an acting class after following his target, Barry becomes captivated by the fragile, hopeful community of performers and by one student in particular, while his manipulative handler is determined to keep him tied to the criminal underworld. The show balances tense action and moral danger with deadpan humor and heartfelt character work, exploring identity, guilt, and the difficulty of escaping one’s past. If you watch Barry, expect an unusual tonal mix: sudden bursts of violence and suspense sit beside awkward, often hilarious moments in acting class; the laughs come with a persistent undercurrent of menace. You’ll be drawn into intimate, character-driven scenes and cliffhanging crime beats, experiencing both empathy for Barry’s yearning to change and discomfort as his old life repeatedly drags him back. Strong performances, sharp dialogue, and a satirical eye on Hollywood make it as emotionally affecting as it is darkly funny. Content note: the series contains violence, adult themes, and moral ambiguity.

Actors: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg

Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime

8.3 /10 8.3 /10