HBO’s 4-Season Crime Series With Near-Perfect RT Score Deserves To Be As Big As Breaking Bad

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HBO’s critically acclaimed crime thriller consistently receives high praise, earning a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many believe it’s just as deserving of its popularity and success as the widely celebrated show Breaking Bad, which is still considered one of the greatest TV series over ten years after it ended – a title most people agree it rightfully earned.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I keep going back to Breaking Bad, and honestly, it holds up incredibly well. Even the episodes people used to argue about now feel like brilliant pieces of storytelling. Over time, I’ve realized just how special it is – very few crime dramas since then have even come close to matching its smart writing and the way it made you really think about the characters, even when they were doing terrible things.

Despite a few shows coming close, one stands out as surprisingly overlooked. Barry, starring Bill Hader, was a remarkably well-executed crime drama that consistently engaged viewers throughout its four seasons, offering a consistently compelling and complete story.

Although Barry didn’t become as widely popular as Breaking Bad, some people actually think it’s a better show in certain ways.

Is Barry Better Than Breaking Bad?

Few crime dramas are as skillfully paced and consistently build tension like Breaking Bad. The show, created by Vince Gilligan, features exceptionally well-developed characters – particularly Jesse and Walter – whose changes throughout the series feel realistic and captivating.

Looking back, it’s clear that Breaking Bad, while excellent, sometimes follows a pretty standard crime drama formula. Even after just the first season, you can often predict the overall direction of the story. This isn’t a flaw, but it shows how the show ultimately fits within the conventions of the genre. Barry, on the other hand, consistently breaks the mold and feels like a much more innovative and unusual take on the anti-hero story.

While Breaking Bad shows its main character, Walter, becoming increasingly immoral, the show sometimes seems to excuse his behavior, leading viewers to surprisingly feel sympathy for him and even want him to succeed. In contrast, Barry immediately presents its main character as a deeply flawed and damaged killer.

The show gives his character some positive qualities, making him as captivating as Walter White. But because the series avoids glorifying his actions as an anti-hero, it’s difficult to predict what will happen to him next. While Breaking Bad isn’t entirely devoid of humor or lighter moments, it maintains a generally serious tone.

While Breaking Bad took a more serious tone, Barry isn’t afraid to be funny. The show uniquely blends intense crime drama with moments of over-the-top comedy. One scene might be filled with violence, and the next could be a lighthearted, amusing look at the world of NoHo Hank, a Chechen mob boss.

Both Breaking Bad and Barry are outstanding crime dramas, and it’s difficult to compare them directly. Each show excels in its own way and stands out as one of the best examples of its kind of crime story.

Barry Is A Rare Example Of A Series Finale Done Right

Even as it neared its end, Barry maintained its quirky sense of humor. The finale was just as emotionally satisfying and unforgettable as the one for Breaking Bad. But Barry surprised viewers one last time by taking an unexpected turn, something other crime dramas, like Ozark, have also done with their endings.

Unlike Ozark, Barry doesn’t simply end with its flawed main character succeeding. It takes a daring risk that could have failed, but thankfully, the finale was so well done that it solidifies Barry‘s place among the greatest crime dramas ever made.

Crime thrillers like Breaking Bad and Ozark have been fantastic additions to the genre, and they continue to hold up well over time, making them shows people revisit year after year. But HBO’s Barry is just as good, carving out its own unique place within the genre and delivering a surprisingly satisfying conclusion.

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2026-05-26 06:29