Ricky Gervais’ new Netflix series After Life came out last week. Written, directed by and starring Gervais, the 6 episode mini series sees middle-aged Tony trying to cope with the loss of his wife to cancer.
This series is deeply conflicting to me, and I can’t fully decide whether I like it or not. After his wife dies Tony decides to just become a grouchy, depressed slob who says and does whatever he wants. Similar to how Ricky Gervais is in real life judging from his twitter. I joke of course, but Gervais doesn’t seem to be playing a character, more of a dramatised version of himself. The writing is quite good apart from moments where Gervais seems to just use the show as a soapbox to preach his views in a completely nonchalant way. I don’t need to hear for the umpteenth time why Gervais is an atheist or why religious people are dumb. We get it. The nihilistic and depressive views the show espouses are clear contextual evidence of his lack of religious belief. I’m not sure whether he doesn’t believe the audience is smart enough to pick up on this or whether he thinks it makes for a genuinely good scene to have his ostensible “character” arguing with a woman about the “magic man in the sky”. Gervais is capable of far better writing, which can even be seen in the same episode so why he falters at certain points is baffling to me. Apart from these moments however, the series is actually quite good. The entire show has dark undertones, with certain characters taking tragic yet understandable paths which ultimately add to the whole morally grey aspect of the show. The performances from the cast were excellent, from Roisin Conaty’s turn as a prostitute who waxes lyrical about the intricacies of people to Tom Basden as the put upon editor of the local newspaper, the supporting cast are one of the strongest elements of this show and also one of the most enjoyable. My previous issues with Gervais aside, he is capable of great writing and the moments where Tony is forced to confront his terrible behaviour are extremely well written and touching, and the moments with Lisa before she died are also incredibly poignant.
VERDICT: Overall, I did enjoy this series and think it is one of Gervais’ better works of recent memory, but his insistence to preach at times became grating and took me out of my immersion. I would give this series a 7.5 out of 10, and at the very least it beats that David Brent film that inexplicably got made.
The CW has released a new extended trailer for The Flash, offering up some new footage from several upcoming episodes and teasing the unmasking of Zoom:
Zoolander is back but a lot has happened since 2001! Rest assured the Ben Stiller comedy features familiar faces and a few new ones with plenty to get you excited. Read more
Zone 414 is an upcoming American science fiction thriller film written by Bryan Edward Hill and directed by Andrew Baird. The film stars Guy Pearce, Matilda Lutz, Jonathan Aris, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Olwen Fouéré, Colin Salmon, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Read more
It is the final episode of Season 1, and as expected following the somewhat calmness of last week's episode this week is about to go off the scale. Our crew Read more
Episode 5 of Zomboat! is the penultimate episode of Season 1 and it gave the audience a chance to catch their breath before the grand finale. Instead of the fast Read more
In Zomboat! Episode 4 we discover that even a shopping trip can be hazardous to your health in post-apocalyptic Birmingham. With the boat moored and apparently safe Amar (Ryan McKen) Read more
After our diversion last week our Zomboat crew begin travelling in the right direction and end up back where they first got on the boat. This also happens to be Read more
Zomboat! burst onto our screens last week and while we loved it we noted that it felt "a bit rushed with lots crammed in." As Episode 2 washed over us Read more
Debuting on ITV2 in the UK, Zomboat! is filmed in the 2.35:1 widescreen ratio of most zombie movies and answers the life long question of what would happen if you Read more
Homemade horror-comedy feature Zomblogalypse received its UK premiere at Dead Northern Film Festival - in association with Fangoria and Shudder - at City Screen York on 26th September 2021. The Read more
Tony Todd is back in an all new zombie movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBlWz-n-nec When the world is in shambles, plagued by a zombie outbreak, only the strong will survive, but just how Read more
Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL6NTQhEqn4 Read more
In Zombieland 2: Double Tap, Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of Read more
Zombie With A Shotgun is the feature adaptation of the popular web series of the same name. Aaron and Rachel are on the run due to the fact that Aaron is Read more
Directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, Zombie Tidal Wave aims to pick up where the Sharknado franchise left off. More serious in tone, the film plays more like the original Sharknado Read more
It's a Zombie Tsunami! From the same twisted minds behind Sharknado comes an all-new disaster: Zombie Tidal Wave starring Ian Ziering. Watch the world premiere Saturday August 17th at 9/8c Read more
11 years ago, a zombie virus killed many people, while others had their family members turned into zombies. Society is still angry, and so outside the city, a zombie fight Read more
The looming release of ZOMBIE ARMY 4 draws ever closer, but there’s a whole new realm of terror lurking just behind! A new three-part campaign called Hell Cult, comprising three Read more
Zombie Army 4: Dead War is OUT NOW! Get your copy on PlayStation 4 TODAY! A reanimated despot and his ghoulish backup dancers shake a precariously attached leg in this Read more
IF YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SAFE - YOU’RE DEAD WRONG! The year is 1946. Europe lies in ruins, torn apart by the nefarious “Plan Z.” A brave band of heroes Read more
More Stories
Titans Season 4 “Final Episodes” trailer released
Preview- Gotham Knights Ep. 3: Under Pressure
Preview- Superman & Lois Season 3 Ep. 3: In Cold Blood