Many comments have been made about the famous episode 3 of ‘The Last of Us’, the series of the moment. Many of the most positive comments about the Bill and Frank story have revolved around Nick Offerman’s impressive performance, the kind of comic actor who wins the affection of the public with a memorable character like the one in ‘Parks and Recreation’ and then surprises when he distorts that character with a dramatic interpretation, as is the case with this one.
It is true that here he reaches different human and emotional levels, but Offerman maintains some keys that have marked his comedic personality, which continues to be an extension of his ability as a character actor. A skill that we have already seen well used in the another entity string (although with less impact) that he did in between his two big projects: ‘Devs’.
looking for enlightenment
Although more than Offerman, the true protagonist of this miniseries found on Disney+ is none other than Alex Garland, one of the essential science fiction writers that here is with total freedom. A freedom that translates into a dense but ambitious story about trauma and the nature of time that also launches a bestial criticism of the Silicon Valley gurus.
A computer engineer at a large technology company in the area is suddenly recruited for the secret and sweet tooth project of the incredible creative genius played by Offerman, having to go to a remote location and tell absolutely nothing about what is being developed. Shortly after starting to work there, he disappears, and his girlfriend suspects that something strange has happened in the workplace and will try to investigate it at all costs.
With the guise of an investigative thriller, Garland ends up taking the miniseries into very personal territory, where his meticulous, philosophical and dramatic style completely clashes with the patience of the average viewer. A direct continuation of his work as a director of feature films that expands his cinematographic language and shows the same clear-sightedness to explore humanistic aspects from science fiction.
‘Devs’: one of a kind
In masterful episodes like 5, the full potential of the series is perfectly developed. A thorough exploration of the heartbreaking events of the past, the impulse to want to change them, and how they shape our future decisions. Pure determinism embodied with unique visual ideas that fully justify Garland’s status as a teacher.
It is, like almost any work directed by Garland, the kind of hard sci-fi that can tear you apart emotionally or make your head hurt. But it continues to be an essential experience, just because it continues to do thematic and narrative things within the reach of very few. ‘Devs’ in particular is one of those totally unique series on the television scene well worth trying.
In Espinof | The best streaming science fiction series