Barry is the textbook example of how difficult it is to make a career choice. Although the choice to remain a hitman or to take acting lessons is not an everyday choice. In the last season he gets even more headaches. I have the feeling that the dark comedy series Barry has been somewhat underexposed for many series fans, including me. That's pretty crazy since this series has acquired quite a few Emmy nominations. I think there's some reluctance among viewers reading Barry's plot. Anyway, this scared me for quite some time. An ex-marine who works as a hitman, but wants to escape this existence to get started as an actor. Can such a bizarre combination of extremes be fun? After watching all seasons at a rapid pace, I can say that it has turned out to be an extremely successful series. The last season is also a pleasure to watch.
As indicated, the main character Barry (Bill Hader) initially works as an assassin. He struggles with his life and is both lonely and dissatisfied. To complete yet another job, he reluctantly has to go to Los Angeles to kill someone. During this job, he sees that things can be done differently. He comes into contact with the theater world and thinks he can escape his life as a hitman in this way. Throughout the seasons, his acting career doesn't really take off as his murderous past continues to haunt him. In the fourth and final season, Barry must face the consequences of his actions as he is arrested for a murder he committed.
In prison, Barry has enough to think about. His girlfriend Sally (Sarah Goldberg, Hindsight) has left him, not to mention his acting teacher Gene (Henry Winkler, Arrested Development) has betrayed him. Why would anyone betray him? Isn't he goodness itself? Barry doesn't seem to realize that he is a ruthless killer who has killed people in cold blood. His psychopathic traits reach their peak within the prison walls. In prison, he meets his killer mentor Fuches (Stephen Root, Perry Mason (2020)) again. Their relationship has cooled down over the seasons, but a strange friendship has always remained.
The other main characters are not forgotten. NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan, Gotham) is over the moon with his Cristobal. He too is haunted by his past as a subject of mafia bosses. Will he choose his lover or will he fall back into old patterns? Sally continues her unstable existence as she recovers from the toxic relationship she has had with Barry. She wants to distance herself from him, but at the same time still feels connected to him. It's nice to see that the makers have ensured that each character gets the attention it deserves. The storylines of these characters are neatly wound up.
Halfway through the season, events take place that I can't elaborate on too much. After these events, a time jump of approximately ten years occurs. This forms the prelude to a blood-curdling series finale. No one is safe anymore and harsh retributions are taking place. As indicated, all storylines are neatly completed, but whether that will be completed in a positive way for everyone remains to be seen.
The alternation between jet-black humor and brutal action is a special sensation, but also refreshing to watch.
I've come to admire Bill Hader a lot. He not only plays the lead role, but also created and wrote the series. In addition, he regularly directed the episodes himself. He is fully responsible for directing this final season. The series is sometimes described as a tragicomic crime series. It is very clever how he has brought these different genres together. The alternation between jet-black humor and brutal action is a special sensation, but also refreshing to watch.
Then I haven't even mentioned the acting performances. Everyone portrays his or her character in a unique way, but here too Bill Hader stands head and shoulders above the rest. He brilliantly expresses the mood swings of a psychopath. The combination of violence and comic scenes does not seem to cost him any effort. He goes for it full of dedication and that ensures that his fellow players pull themselves up to it.
If, like me at the time, you have been hesitant about whether this series is suitable for you, I can reassure you. Barry is a joy to watch. The combination of half-hour episodes, violence and humor are the ideal cocktail to make it a high-quality series.
About the writer, Karzal
Mike (1995) has been a member of MySeries since 2016 and is mainly active on the English version of the site. Since 2018, he has been actively translating news articles, columns, reviews and basically everything that ends up on the Dutch site. The original articles, columns and reviews were actually written by others. During the week Mike can be found at IKEA, where he is a national systems specialist and occasionally also in the classroom to teach an English lesson. In addition, Mike logically enjoys watching series and has actually been spoon-fed this from an early age. The genre doesn't matter, there is a place for everything in the otherwise busy life.
