Plus, there’s something about Hader’s directing style that is reminiscent of horror. He often uses predictive setups, a hallmark of the horror genre, to great success. As Sally rushed home from work hoping to find Barry in her apartment a few episodes ago, the camera lingered in the dark in the corner of the room as she waited for him to show up. It’s a scene that strikes at our own perception as a spectator that in scenes like this, something always comes out and fills the void. When Hader does, he plays up to our expectations, turning the scene abruptly into comedy as he responds to Sally’s offer to leave with a high-pitched exclamation: “Really?! “
Hader’s behind-the-scenes work is often smooth and jarring in an instant; “Barry” excels both for its clear, accurate visuals and consistent timbre, and the two factors combine to make the film often feel scarier than many actual horror movies. As “Barry” neared the end of the game, its already ambitious style evolved to become more surreal, more intense, and even more dramatic. The public knows almost nothing about Hader’s horror movie idea at this point, but after seeing “Barry,” we’re ready to snag front-row seats for whatever he does next. according to.
“Barry” airs on HBO and HBO Max on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.
