AlthoughBarrydidn’t last as long asDexter, it is hard to deny that the HBO show’s spiritual successor was an all-round better series. It is not uncommon for a sequel or prequel to improve on its predecessor.The Godfather Part 2is arguably better thanThe Godfather, and many critics argue thatBetter Call Saulmanaged to outdoBreaking Badin its final episodes. However, althoughDexter’s prequelOriginal Sinand its upcoming revival proves the series is still popular, it must be frustrating for a show to be outdone by a series that merely shares its general premise.
10 Moments Where We Stopped Loving Dexter Morgan
While viewers may still be able to love Dexter Morgan despite his serial killing habits, other actions were just a step too far for audiences.
2018’sBarryis not a sequel toDexter, nor is it related to theupcomingDexterrebootResurrection. However, HBO’s Bill Hader vehicle does have a lot in common with the earlier Showtime hit. Based on the novel series of the same name by author Jeff Lindsay,Dexteris a blackly comic crime drama about a traumatized serial killer who only murders serial killers and abides by a strict, but entirely self-created, moral code. In comparison,Barryis another darkly comic drama about a traumatized hitman who tries to balance contract killing to focus on his passion for acting.
How Barry Was A Spiritual Successor To Dexter
Barry and Dexter Both Explored Killer Antiheroes With Dark Hearts
BothDexterandBarryfocus on killer title characters who balance their secret lives, striving to improve even though can’t stop killing others for a variety of reasons.BarryandDextershare a pitch-black sense of humor and an uneven, jumpy tone that takes some getting used to for new viewers. Both shows also center on their title characters trying to hide their double lives from innocent people who, in their eyes, might someday help them live normal lives.Barryis a spiritual successor toDexter, building on the show’s best qualities.
Unfortunately forDexter, this also means thatBarryavoided the earlier show’s pitfalls. WhereDexter’s infamous plot twistswere occasionally cringe-worthy,Barryhad a more grounded tone that allowed room for plenty of drama and action but rarely felt unintentionally outlandish.Barryembraced absurdity and deadpan humor while never shying away from the harsh reality of killing, whereasDextertended to glamorize the antics of its title character in later seasons. WhileDexter’s lesser storylines featured ridiculous plot twists,Barryturned the show’s sharp satirical eye on the show itself in later seasons.
Dexter Was Great, But Barry Was A Much Better TV Show
WhileDexterbecame sillier as the show went on,Barrygot a lot darker. What began as a somewhat farcical comedy became an existential nightmare with only fleeting moments of comedic relief, but this gradual tonal shift was to the show’s benefit.Barrydid what bothDexterandBreaking Badcouldn’t, beginning as a quirky crime drama with comedic elements and flashes of real darkness and gradually morphing into a pitch-black drama with some scenes of pure horror. In doing so,Barrytouched on real-life issues like PTSD, addiction, and trauma with more nuance thanDexter.
UnlikeDexter,Barryprovided its murderous antihero with a tragic character arc that had a fitting, compelling conclusion.
Dexterwas a fun series precisely because the show was so over-the-top, butBarry’s ending proved thatDexter’s infamous endingtruly was as bad as critics claimed. UnlikeDexter,Barryprovided its murderous antihero with a tragic character arc that had a fitting, compelling conclusion.Dexterrepeatedly refused to kill off the show’s hero for good but still wanted to hold onto its high stakes, whereasBarryoften killed off major characters to prove the show’s commitment to treating violence with comparative realism.Barry’s edge sharpened as it continued, whereasDexter’s edge dulled as the show went on.
Barry Avoided The Mistakes Dexter Made With Its Ending
Barry’s Ending Was A Perfect Conclusion To The Acclaimed Series
Barry’s beginning as a broad comedy ensured that the series could surprise viewers by growing gradually darkerand deeper, whereasDexter’s strong start worked against the show’s later seasons. As viewers became more attached to Dexter, the show went to increasingly silly extremes to ensure his double life stayed secret. In contrast,Barryseason 4saw the story of Hader’s protagonist get increasingly dark with each passing episode. Where the latter began as a silly show and grew more serious,Dextertook the opposite route.
For allDexter’s positive attributes, the show as a whole can’t compete with Hader’s magnum opus.
AlthoughDexterhad a lot going for it and the franchise remains popular judging by its upcoming additions,Barrywas a sharper take on a similar theme.Barry’s story is a perfect fit for anyone hoping to replaceDexter, but it is tough to ignore how much more tonally cohesive the series was than its more outwardly dramatic predecessor. For allDexter’s positive attributes, the show as a whole can’t compete with Hader’s magnum opus. Even as theDexterfranchise grows its reboots and prequels,Barryremains a stronger exploration of the same morally ambiguous themes.
