Tony had a perfect life. But after his wife Lisa suddenly dies, Tony changes. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying and doing whatever he likes from now on.
Unexpectedly moving, After Life charts Tony’s reawakening in six brisk episodes that toggle between cynicism and tear-inducing sentiment. Star-director-writer Gervais curbs the maudlin impulses that made his previous Netflix series, Derek, such a chore, finding sharp humor in Tony’s outrageous outbursts over petty grievances. (The character’s job as a human-interest reporter, forcing him to confront the cheerfully and hilariously absurd, only fuels his misanthropy.) But life has a way of going on, and After Life leads Tony to face the fact that he’s not the only character in his story.
Until After Life in 2019, where yes, Gervais plays Gervais-type, Tony (wouldn’t we feel short-changed if we got anything but?) – however the mini series represents a noticeable shift in tone for the observational comedian. Gone is the mockumentary-style filming and excruciating encounters associated with Gervais’ former work: Tony is a man struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts following the death of his wife, Lisa.
