--- title: "Barry: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/barry/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/barry" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Barry (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 10 reviews: 10 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Every one of the ten reviews is positive, and nearly all of them land on the same thing: Bill Hader. Critics describe his hitman as weary, anxious and closed off, and credit the performance with holding together a series that swings between violent crime drama and a satire of hopeful actors in Los Angeles. The blend of tones is the second point of agreement; most critics find the two halves sit together rather than jar, and several note that the show cares more about Barry’s depression and his search for a purpose than about jokes. Henry Winkler’s acting teacher and the Chechen mob material draw particular mention. The reservations are mild and few. Variety finds the caper elements somewhat derivative and the violence graphic, and sits, with The Guardian, at the lower end. The spread is otherwise narrow, from good to very good, with Collider alone calling it one of the best debuts in recent memory. ## The AV Club — Vikram Murthi Rating A-. 14 May 2018. The season finale delivers a satisfying yet open-ended conclusion to Barry's first season, with the world briefly conspiring to offer the hitman a fresh start before complications return. The critic praises the episode's mix of humor, pathos, and tension, particularly the Chechen mob material and NoHo Hank's comedic presence. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/barry-closes-out-the-season-with-a-bang-1825985575) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 2018. Barry succeeds as a tonally shifting series that braids crime drama and comedy around a hitman's attempt to escape his life through acting. The critic singles out Bill Hader's nuanced performance as the standout element, noting his ability to convey emotional detachment and inner turmoil. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/barry-hbo-review-bill-haders-new-hitman-comedy.html) ## The Telegraph — Ed Cumming Rating 4/5. 26 April 2018. The review finds the series an effective twist on Hollywood self-indulgence, with pathos alongside cynicism. Bill Hader's weary performance and confident dialogue help it hit its mark. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2018/04/26/barry-review-assassin-comedy-hits-mark/) ## The Guardian — Sam Wollaston Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2018. The critic praises the show's clever blend of violent crime drama and comedy about a hitman who stumbles into an acting class. Strong performances, especially by Bill Hader and Henry Winkler, and the unlikely juxtaposition of tones make it compelling. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/apr/26/barry-review-a-perfect-storm-of-horror-and-hilarity-as-bill-haders-hitman-turns-actor) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 March 2018. Festival review. The critic finds the HBO series a low-key but likable caper comedy blending aspiring actors, depression themes, and crime elements, with solid performances especially from Hader as the stressed protagonist. It succeeds as a showcase for the cast despite some derivative qualities and graphic violence. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/bill-hader-barry-henry-winkler-hbo-review-sxsw-1202723178/) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood Rating ★★★★★. 22 March 2018. The series is one of the best and most surprising debuts in recent memory, a half-hour HBO comedy with tonal twists that balance laughs and emotional depth. Hader delivers a phenomenal, layered performance as the hitman drawn to acting, and the show crafts a complete, richly satisfying first season. [Read the review](https://collider.com/barry-review-bill-hader-hbo/) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 2018. Barry is a sharp, stinging Hollywood satire with a strong emotional core about a bored, depressed killer finding purpose through acting. Hader and Berg wring genuine warmth from the characters while delivering consistent humor and exploring themes of identity, performance, and outrunning emptiness. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2018/03/bill-hader-is-a-shitty-actor-trying-to-outpace-death-in-the-hilarious-surprisingly-existential-barry/) ## Den of Geek — Nick Harley Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 March 2018. The pilot establishes Barry as a pitch-black dramedy that balances the hitman's mental fatigue with satire of aspiring actors in LA. The critic highlights the sharp writing, compelling characters, and Hader's strong work both in front of and behind the camera. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/barry-episode-1-review-chapter-one-make-your-mark/) ## /Film — Jacob Hall Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 11 March 2018. Festival review. Barry is a bloody great showcase for Hader, who is terrific as the internalized, anxious hitman finding unexpected life in an acting class. The series grounds its high-concept premise in relatable subtext and bleak black comedy, with strong supporting turns and a pitch-black HBO style. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/556823/barry-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 March 2018. The critic finds that Barry subverts expectations for a post-SNL vehicle and crime comedy by prioritizing existential questions over laughs, with its setup allowing for richer material than standard fish-out-of-water gags. Hader's understated performance as the hitman-turned-actor is singled out for praise, as is the show's focus on contrasts between his two worlds. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/03/25/tv/barry-hbo-episode-one) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/barry.md