Netflix's A Man on the Inside, created by Mike Schur, injects a comedy with mystery as it sheds light on some older people. We get to see them tackle, even if subconsciously, the issues of belonging, finding purpose, and community. It starts with a mystery of the missing heirloom, Helen Kennedy's (Danielle Kennedy) lost family necklace, and hints at loss, betrayal, and forgiveness.
The surprise is that the heirloom/necklace was stolen by Gladys. She was a costume designer with memory issues, which leaves us feeling more sad for her than thinking she was mean-minded. An ex-professor, Charles (Ted Danson), goes into a retirement community to solve this mystery and takes one on quite a ride.
A Man on the Inside resonates with broader themes of aging and memory loss. Creator Mike Schur refers to these as "helping honest depictions of humanity" according to an interview he gave to Netflix Tudum. This means to Schur that getting older can be beautiful but also difficult at times.
Why did Gladys steal the heirloom on A Man on the Inside?
In Episode 8, the story of Helen's stolen necklace becomes quite intense as Charles learns that Gladys, a fellow resident showing symptoms like Alzheimer's, has been unknowingly collecting things. This changes the story from one of suspicion to that of understanding.
A Man on the Inside covers sensitive topics such as Alzheimer's without avoiding or exaggerating them, Mike Schur says.
The situation that Gladys comes in against throws light on the challenges of having a problem with memory. Ted Danson commented that all the show themes come from finding relevance and joy in a world that is aging and loss:
Danson noted to Netflix Tudum,
“We tell our children, ‘You can do anything you want.’ Why do we stop saying that to ourselves?”
Gladys' actions, though unintentional, suggest many problems and vulnerabilities of aged persons in a communal society. The theft also leads to much character development in Charles. He is hired as a spy at first, but he makes actual friends, including the friendship he develops with Gladys.
The investigation was needed, but such a relationship also proved what an important role understanding and kindness play within caregiving groups.
Themes of aging and rediscovery in A Man on the Inside
Schur cited inspiration from the Oscar-nominated documentary The Mole Agent, which also examines the lives of older adults. He identified his favorite scene as the one where Charles talks with Elliott (John Getz) about loss, asserting that grief is something certain and living will have a lot to do with combating it.
Much of the portrayal of Charles reflects the inner turmoil so many of us experience in life. Hope Sloop from Decider notes that Charles starts as a "bereft widower" forgotten but reclaiming a sense of purpose with his undercover role.
However, at the end of A Man on the Inside, Charles not only solves the mystery but also restores his relationship with his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) and encourages his community to accept life's surprises.
Supporting actors like Didi, played by Stephanie Beatriz, who is the managing director of Pacific View, really enrich the story. In Episode 6, the problems Didi faces bring forward the quiet heroes who are about taking care of older people.
A Man on the Inside’s message is to enjoy life at any age
While A Man on the Inside is a mystery, its main focus is on the message about getting older happily. Schur criticizes society’s focus on being young, saying,
“America is obsessed with the new thing, the next thing... People over the age of 49 are nonentities.”
The series introduces adventures, friendships, and humor among older people. It tells the story against all its usual concepts. Decider's Hope Sloop described this as closely resembling Disney's Up but reminds them that life isn't long, making such ordinary moments special.
Charles' journey ends with hope when Julie gives him another case, and he says,
“Whatever it is, I’m in.”
This final line sums up the driving message of A Man on the Inside: life, in any case, may well be full of significance and surprises.
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A Man on the Inside is on Netflix.
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