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Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
Ozark is one of the best shows on Netflix right now.
This isn’t so much a review as it is an argument piece on why you should be watching it right now and why it’s just a great show all around. Plus, I know I’m not the only one who enjoys watching Jason Bateman get psychologically tortured by a Mexican drug lord.
As with my other reviews and recommendations, minor spoilers to follow.
For those unaware, Ozark debuted in 2017 on the streaming platform to rave reviews, particularity for its acting, tone and direction. The series is headlined by Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, who play Marty and Wendy Byrde, respectively. They relocate from Chicago to Osage Beach, Missouri with their teenage children Charlotte and Jonah Byrde, played by Sofia Hublitz and Skylar Gaertner, respectively. Julia Garner plays Ruth Langmore, an eventual business partner for the Byrdes, while Tom Pelphrey plays Ben Davis, Wendy’s brother who comes into the fold during the third season. The series has many more recurring actors and guests throughout so for that I would recommend a brief Google search.
Its plot is a first that I’ve seen, but the show occasionally prioritizes plot and story over character development. That doesn’t necessarily bother me too much because the show’s writers do a great job of keeping you on your feet.
The show follows the Byrdes as they relocate to the Ozarks after Marty’s money laundering business with the Navarro Drug Cartel goes wrong in Chicago and he has to prove his worth by laundering in Missouri. During Season One, the Byrdes work on trying to figure out the best way to launder. They run into the Snells, a local couple who are heroin distributors; and the Langmores, another local family who are your run of the mill redneck criminals. They also have to deal with the Navarro Cartel, their men, and the FBI. Needless to say the Brydes are dealing with a lot, sometimes too much at times.
One of the cooler aspects of this series is that every episode begins with a big “O” popping up on screen with four different icons, telling viewers the four big plot points throughout that episode — a cool yet different aspect to television today.
From left: Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz and Jason Bateman as Wendy, Charlotte and Marty Byrde, respectively.
In Season Two, they are working on going a little more legit and figuring out how to keep the Snells at bay and how to keep Navarro happy, while also dealing with Ruth’s newly released father from prison. Eventually, they make way for a casino to open as it’ll help them become more legitimate and less suspicious. They also deal with a crazy Christian preacher and his newborn son at one point, while also dealing with Charlotte wanting to get emancipated because of how crazy her family is. (As I said, the Byrdes have a lot going on and they usually take everything day by day.)
During Season Three, Wendy’s brother comes into the fold and almost screws everything up, however she and Marty know he must be dealt with. In this season, they also have to deal with a forensic accountant from the FBI who is brought in to run Marty and Wendy’s books on the casino, even though everyone knows they’re laundering money out of it anyway. And in addition to that, they have to deal with the Kansas City Mob as well. Oh, and Marty and Wendy also have therapy at the behest of their children.
From left: Tom Pelphrey and Julia Garner as Ben Davis and Ruth Langmore, respectively.
By far the best actor in the series is Bateman. However, Julia Garner and Skylar Gaertner are standouts in their own rights as well. Bateman can play almost any role perfectly, however, he’s mainly starred in comedies, as he rose to stardom in the Russo brothers’ Arrested Development. I am a huge lover of any comedic actor taking on a dramatic role; take Adam Sandler in Uncut Gems, for example. Bateman shines and does excellent as Marty Byrde and begs the audience to keep watching.
Garner — earning an Emmy for Ozark‘s second season — is stellar as Ruth Langmore and continually keeps Bateman and Laura Linney in check during their scenes. Linney shines as well. She gives a heart wrenching performance later in the third season during some stuff with her brother, Ben. The last two or three episodes are all her show.
Skylar Gaertner gave by far his best performance as Jonah Byrde in Season Three. He gives a gripping performance in the last two episodes as well. I’m really hoping his role is expanded in the upcoming season. Sofia Hublitz also gives a great performance in Season Three. She’s much better here than in the past two seasons, and I actually like it this way.
I could go on for days but overall, every cast member is great and gives their best performances in this recent season.
From left: Skylar Gaertner and Janet McTeer as Jonah Byrde and Helen Pierce, respectively.
The tone of this show is amazing. I love any kind of dark television show or film, so if you are a fellow lover of tenebrous tones, you’re in for a treat with Ozark. It’s very dark and has much different takes on things than other shows I’ve seen. It’s great. As with most television series, there are many directors throughout, but Bateman has also directed some episodes of his own. Regardless, the direction and cinematography are great. The framing and mise-en-scene are some of the best, especially for Netflix shows.
Overall, this is a great series. Everyone, from cast and crew down to the costume designers, shine and give great performances. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to check out something different or darker. I really enjoy it, and since I’ve been home from college, my parents and I have been binging it and others together.
If you are looking for another darker series, check out Defending Jacob on AppleTV and here is our review of the first three episodes. For more TV and film recommendations and reviews, stay right here with The Cinema Spot!
Lead Critic for the site, as well as serving as an editor when needed.
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