TV show or Movie: TV show
Where to watch: HBO MAX
Premise: Barry is a dark comedy starring Bill Hader as a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest. Lonely and dissatisfied in his life, he reluctantly travels to Los Angeles to execute a hit on an aspiring actor. Barry follows his “mark” into an acting class and ends up finding an accepting community in a group of eager hopefuls within the LA theater scene. He wants to start a new life as an actor, but his criminal past won’t let him walk away —can he find a way to balance both worlds?
Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan, and Henry Winkler.
What it reminds me of: Not much.
Why I like it: The plot is literally that Bill Hader plays a hitman who goes to Los Angels to kill someone but falls in love with improv and tries to leave his life as an assassin to break into the acting scene. What is not to love? Why do you need to read on right now? This should have been enough information for you to want to watch it.
This show is super dark, super funny, and explores a lot of interesting themes such as PTSD, the struggle to make it in Hollywood, the mob, and so much more.
Henry Winkler plays an adorable failed actor turned coach. Anthony Carrigan is a newer actor but plays quite possibly one of the funniest characters of all time.
Once you have watched the first two seasons, check out the bloopers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpXGjrwBo6k
Also, check out the scene that broke Bill Hader here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv-GRK7ODVQ