This 96% Rotten Tomatoes Netflix comedy is the underrated gem your watchlist needs

Netflix has a huge collection of comedy shows. So, sometimes certain shows might sneak under the radar, and A Man on the Inside is one of those gems.

This comedy show is created by Michael Schur, who also gave us The Good Place and Parks and Recreation. It premiered on Netflix on November 21, 2024, with eight episodes that are easy to binge in one weekend. Schur took inspiration from the 2020 documentary, The Mole Agent, and gave us something hilarious and touching.

This Netflix show is about Charles Nieuwendyk. He is a retired college professor played by Ted Danson. When his daughter encourages him to take a chance, Charles answers an ad from a private investigator and goes undercover in a San Francisco retirement home. Initially, it is all fun and games. However, along the way, the funny undercover mission becomes a heartwarming journey.

The cast adds so much life to the show. Mary Elizabeth Ellis plays Charles’s caring daughter Emily. Stephanie Beatriz is Didi, the director of the community. And Lilah Richcreek is the private investigator, Julie.

A Man on the Inside on Netflix is at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, which says a lot about how well the show was received by the viewers and the critics. The second season is already in the works, and fans can't wait for more of Charles' charm.

Netflix explores the heart and humor of life in A Man on the Inside

After the passing of his wife, Victoria, Charles Nieuwendyk, a retired engineering professor, finds himself all alone. His daughter, Emily, concerned about his well-being, encourages him to find a new purpose. This leads Charles to respond to an ad from Julie.

Julie is a private investigator who hires him to go undercover at the Pacific View Retirement Community in San Francisco. His task is to observe and report on an alleged theft within the facility in the Netflix show. Charles initially hesitates, especially due to the memories of his wife's battle with Alzheimer's. But then he accepts the assignment.

In Pacific View, Charles meets different personalities, developing a friendship with his chess partner, Calbert Graham, a lonely resident. The friendship he builds there gives Charles a sense of connection and belonging he never anticipated. Slowly, he begins to see the residents as individuals with a past and history, instead of subjects of his investigation.

In the Netflix show, Charles's journey has echoes of his past. Especially the memories of his late wife, Victoria. The Alzheimer's unit at Pacific View brings back those memories of her battle with the disease. Charles' interactions with the residents help him process his grief and find new meaning in his life. The connections he forms are a reminder that it's never too late to find purpose.

Victoria Nieuwendyk's memory is a central element in Charles's story. Though she is not depicted in the show, her presence is felt through her husband's reflections. The Netflix show subtly honors her memory. It also shows the impact of Alzheimer's on families and the love that persists even after loss.

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