Netflix’s 4-Part Thriller Series Is Better Than Most Of Their Crime Shows

by

Despite a few flaws, Ozark stands out as one of Netflix’s strongest crime dramas so far. Netflix has tried many different types of shows – everything from outlandish science fiction to realistic character studies – in their quest to find another hit like Stranger Things. But crime thrillers have consistently been a popular choice for the platform.

Whether you enjoy quirky comedies like the excellent How To Get to Heaven from Belfast or intense thrillers like The Sinner, Netflix offers a crime show to suit every taste. If you’re a fan of dark and humorous crime dramas such as Breaking Bad or Sneaky Pete, you’ll likely enjoy Ozark as well.

The show Ozark, which premiered in 2017, centers around Jason Bateman’s character, Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who moves his family from Chicago to Missouri. He does this to secretly wash money for a powerful Mexican drug cartel. Settling near the Lake of the Ozarks, Marty continues his dangerous scheme, but eventually clashes with local criminals.

Ozark’s 4-Season Story Is Perfect

The location of the show Ozark is a clever choice. Most crime stories happen in cities, so setting one in a peaceful, out-of-the-way place is unusual. The idea of an ordinary accountant creating a secret money-laundering scheme for drug cartels in such an unexpected location immediately grabs your attention.

But viewers quickly discover that the Ozark region is already full of criminals. One of the show’s biggest strengths is Julie Garner’s portrayal of Ruth, a local troublemaker, and she’s just one of many memorable villains. Others include Darlene Snell, an older drug boss played by Lisa Emery, and the dangerous cartel Marty gets involved with.

Throughout the series, Marty’s plans constantly fall apart, forcing him to come up with even more daring solutions. This also deeply changes his family. Wendy, played by Laura Linney, starts as a savvy political strategist but evolves into someone just as central to the action as Marty, making her character journey one of the show’s most compelling.

What really set Ozark apart, earning it comparisons to the crime drama The Sopranos, was its focus on complex female characters like Wendy and Ruth. Both shows stand out because they put women at the center of stories usually dominated by men, portraying them as fully realized individuals with both strengths and flaws, rather than simply as observers.

Jason Bateman’s Ozark Performance Is A Revelation

Although the show covers a lot of ground, which is one of its strengths, Jason Bateman’s performance is what truly makes Ozark a consistently compelling series across all four seasons. While Ozark is grimmer than Breaking Bad, the show that clearly influenced it, Bateman’s presence prevents it from falling into the same pitfalls as some other, less successful dramas like Low Winter Sun.

With so many criminals on the show, it would be simple for viewers to lose interest in the characters of Ozark. Therefore, Jason Bateman has a difficult job: he needs to portray Marty Byrde’s flaws honestly, but also make him someone audiences will still root for.

I have to say, Jason Bateman absolutely nails this role. Years of watching him play those lovable, yet deeply flawed characters – think Michael from Arrested Development – really prepared him for this. The character uses narration to try and explain, even justify, his actions, aiming for some kind of seriousness, but what truly grabs you isn’t what he says, it’s the heartbreaking sense that he’s completely falling apart underneath it all. It’s a subtle performance, and it’s brilliant.

Marty is a flawed and sympathetic character constantly struggling with the consequences of his own actions. He always thinks he’s close to fixing things and regaining control. Over four seasons, the show Ozark carefully examines the ripple effects of the family’s money laundering operation on themselves and everyone around them.

Why Ozark Ended With Season 4

Tina Rowden/Netflix © 2022

Instead of a big, dramatic finale like many crime shows, the final season of Ozark focused on Marty continuing to talk and negotiate his way out of trouble. He managed to avoid serious consequences – like being shot or going to prison – by turning in both his allies and enemies.

As a big fan of Ozark, I have to admit I was a little thrown when the show ended. It wasn’t a neat and tidy conclusion with everyone getting what they deserved, and I know a lot of viewers felt the same – the finale actually has the lowest rating on IMDb. But honestly, after thinking about it, the ending totally makes sense for the show. It felt like a natural culmination of everything, especially for Marty. That final twist? It really captured his entire journey and how he operated – a perfect way to wrap things up, even if it wasn’t what we expected.

Those used to typical crime dramas might have anticipated a different outcome, but Bateman’s character ultimately ended up where his actions throughout the series suggested he would. The surprising finale of Ozark proved the show was committed to being unconventional and unpredictable until the very end.

Read More

2026-03-05 16:19