'Barry' Bids Farewell with a Bold Final Season
From its inception, "Barry" has been a series unafraid to take risks, and its fourth and concluding season is no exception. Picking up from the arrest of its hitman-turned-aspiring actor, the show dives into a darker narrative, emphasizing its ensemble cast while occasionally indulging in whimsical flights of fancy.
Although "Succession" might overshadow "Barry" as HBO's most notable farewell this spring, the Emmy-nominated series still holds its own. Even if this season doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors, "Barry" remains compelling.
Bill Hader, wearing multiple hats as director, producer, and star, continues to deliver one of television's most unpredictable experiences. The new season channels a "Better Call Saul" vibe, driven by the inevitable collapse of Barry's double life.
Barry's arrest sends ripples through his world, affecting everyone from his acting mentor Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler, brilliantly balancing ego and vulnerability) and girlfriend Sally (Sarah Goldberg) to the assortment of petty criminals around him, including Fuches (Stephen Root) and NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan), who has unexpectedly found love.
The show has always grappled with the moral complexities of a protagonist who kills, and this season intensifies that struggle as Barry finds himself behind bars. His childlike query, "Are you mad at me?" momentarily softens his violent past, though Jim Moss (Robert Wisdom) remains unmoved by his charm.
Hader, directing every episode, shines in crafting darkly comedic visuals, enhanced by amusing cameos from Hollywood figures like Guillermo del Toro, whose appearances are delightfully unexpected.
However, the show's surreal elements and fantasy detours occasionally distract, feeling somewhat overindulgent. Yet, the cast's strong performances consistently anchor the series, even as prison complicates their interactions.
While HBO provided most of the season for review, the series maintains suspense, leaving viewers guessing about its conclusion and how its various storylines will intertwine.
A universally happy ending for "Barry" seems unlikely, but Hader and co-creator Alec Berg are committed to concluding on their own terms, delivering a season that, while not flawless, remains daringly creative. It's hard to fault a show that takes such bold creative leaps, even if this season isn't as consistently lethal as before.
The final season of "Barry" premieres April 14 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.