HBO’s Barry is a comedy that’s dark as it is funny.
SNL alum Bill Hader portrays Barry Berkman, a Marine Corps veteran turned Midwestern hitman that finds his true calling in acting after traveling to Los Angeles to kill someone. The irony is that he is introduced to the L.A. theater scene after trailing his target.
The show begins with Barry concluding a hit and returning to his very modest apartment in Cleveland. It becomes obvious that Barry is very disappointed and dissatisfied with his life and hesitantly accepts a high-paying hit job offered by the Chechen mob in L.A, by his handler Fuches, portrayed by Stephen Root (DodgeBall, Get Out). After learning his target has been having an affair with the mob boss’s wife, he trails him to an acting class taught by Gene Cousineau, portrayed by Henry Winkler (Happy Days). In the class, Barry becomes immediately attracted to Sally, portrayed by Sarah Goldberg (Hindsight), a struggling actress in the class. Despite being a terrible actor, Barry is accepted into the acting class by Cousineau after his life story his mistaken for an improv monologue. Barry finds acceptance and happiness within the class and acting, but struggles to balance his double life as actor and hitman.
From the beginning, you can’t help but be drawn to Barry. It’s depressing to watch how meaningless his life is as he sits in his apartment playing video games and sleeping. Once Barry becomes interested and joins the acting class, it is easy to feel happy for Barry, despite his current job as a hitman. Bill Hader’s portrayal as Barry is excellent and is done to where I can’t imagine someone else doing as good or a better job as the show’s title character.
Paired with the show’s hilarious comedic wiring, is a dark and ominous undertone that acts as a reminder that Barry has a dark secret preventing him from living his best life. Some of the dark moments leave the viewer with mixed feelings toward Barry, but overall Barry is extremely likable and relatable in that sometimes people can become disappointed with their life until they find their passion. The cast lineup of veterans and newcomers provides hilarious and dramatic support to Barry’s storyline. My personal favorite is Natalie, another actress in Barry’s acting class taught by Cousineau that is often overshadowed by Sally. Natalie is portrayed by D’arcy Carden, who I’ve become a fan of after her involvement in Broad City and The Good Place.
Overall, I would recommend Barry to anyone that enjoys comedy, but doesn’t mind, sometimes extreme, acts of violence. After hearing the series has been renewed for a 2nd season, I am excited to see how Barry continues to balance his double life.
Barry Season 1 is now available on Digital Download.
