I Can't Stop Watching This Dark Australian Comedy Drama Series on Disney Plus That Almost Nobody Knows About.

In the second season of Mr Inbetween, there is a notable moment when the police visit Ray Shoesmith at his home to interrogate him about a threat made to a parent at his son's school. Ray's only response is, “I don’t answer questions,” a phrase he repeats to every question the officers ask, who eventually leave perplexed and frustrated. This brief encounter encapsulates the essence of the character: Ray is an enigma full of contradictions, offering an intriguing perspective that leaves the viewer with no answers.

Ray Shoesmith is portrayed by Scott Ryan, the creator and writer of the series, who manages to exceptionally depict an emotionally repressed and violent antihero, yet with a particular charm, reminiscent of figures like Tony Soprano from the acclaimed series The Sopranos. Although he works as security at a nightclub, his true profession is that of a hitman, a role he has to balance with his daily life as a father, friend, brother, and lover.

Unlike many Australian productions that soften their male characters or present extreme craziness, Mr Inbetween creates an authentic portrayal of Ray, an individual who lives by his own moral code, distancing himself from social conventions. In his world, actions have consequences, and he does not hesitate to use violence if necessary. His smile oscillates between kindness and a dangerous intent, simultaneously revealing a deep loneliness and repressed emotions.

The series is inspired by the 2005 film The Magician, which barely offered a sketch of the young character. Instead, here we meet a more complete Ray: an older man, with a daughter, an ex, and a brother suffering from a degenerative disease, thus providing a richer perspective on his life. Each episode sheds light on different aspects of his existence, blending the everyday with surprising and often poignant situations.

Nicholas Cassim's portrayal of Ray's brother, Bruce, sensitively illustrates the harsh stages of his illness and its impact on those around him. Chika Yasumura, as Brittany, Ray's daughter, reflects the difficult transition from being the center of her father's world to becoming a slight source of embarrassment for him. Meanwhile, Ally, Ray's girlfriend, played by Brooke Satchwell, demonstrates how his violent decisions influence his close circle, even though he never directs that violence towards them.

Ray is not a hero; at times, his work as a hitman is morally ambiguous, and he acts according to his own sense of justice, making him a complex and fascinating character. Throughout the three seasons, the heart of the series is Ray, who tries to protect his loved ones from the dangers of his work while confronting his troubled past.

Although Ray does not attend therapy, he does enroll in an anger management course with hilarious results, adding a comedic and reflective dimension to his character. Mr Inbetween addresses profound issues related to violence in society and the failures of the legal system, offering introspection on anger and its nature without providing easy answers.

The series has generated significant interest among viewers, who often find themselves captivated by it and anxious as the ending approaches, which, fortunately, offers a satisfying conclusion.