Living with Yourself

Living with Yourself is an intriguing and comically ingenious Netflix original series that first premiered in October 2019. The show wittily combines elements of comedy, drama, and science fiction, ultimately delivering a uniquely captivating viewing experience.

Actor Paul Rudd, best known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and hit comedies like Anchorman and Friends, takes on dual roles as both the main character Miles Elliot and his clone in this thought-provoking series. Irish actress Aisling Bea, an accomplished stand-up comedian and actress recognized for her various roles in British television, portrays Kate Elliot, Miles's wife and the third protagonist of the show.

The storyline revolves around Miles, a man who seems to have lost his zest for life and is stuck in a frustrating professional and personal rut. He's jaded, unfulfilled with his career, and struggling to keep the spark alive in his relationship with Kate. He's despondent, to say the least, and constantly yearning for a way to reinvent himself, to be better. The premise might sound fairly average, until an unexpected twist takes it to unchartered territories.

In a desperate attempt to improve his life, Miles visits an enigmatic spa that promises immediate and incredible self-recovery. However, what he doesn't know is that the spa's revitalization process actually involves cloning their clients and improving upon the clone—the concept loosely echoing Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. The twist in the tale comes when Miles wakes up in a grave and finds his clone living his life, thus beginning his peculiar and comical journey of living with himself.

Living with Yourself presents a fascinating exploration of personal identity and raises ethical questions about cloning, self-improvement, and the nature of individuality. Rudd’s stellar performance as Miles and his chipper, idealistic clone is commendable. He skillfully portrays two versions of the same character and adds depth to each one of them, showcasing the intricacies of human character and the ongoing conflict between ambition and reality.

Aisling Bea, as Kate, shines in her role too. Her realistic portrayal of a woman stuck in an increasingly complicated relationship paints a relatable picture. As the plot unfurls, Aisling Bea’s character becomes central in driving the story forward, and she does so with conviction and subtle comic timing.

The show is written and created by Timothy Greenberg, who serves as the showrunner. His previous work, as a producer and writer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, seems to have infused a distinctive, satirical narrative style to this series. The show is directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, the duo known for their acclaimed work on Little Miss Sunshine.

Each episode lasts around half an hour, and the season comprises eight tightly woven episodes that keep the storytelling crisp. The plot is fast-paced, and just when you think you know what’s to come, a new twist promptly comes along. The narration switches between reality and flashbacks, engrossing the viewer in the show’s universe.

The series is filled with moments of unexpected hilarity that spring from the uncanny circumstances of the characters' lives. It incorporates a fair amount of dark humor atmospheric in nature, adding a whole new tone to the narrative. Yet under its layer of sci-fi and humor, it manages to maintain a relatable, human story that touches upon themes of love, identity, and self-improvement.

Living with Yourself stands out with its blend of comedy and science fiction in a mainstream television series, but its real charm lies in the universally relatable characters that Paul Rudd and Aisling Bea so expertly portray. The series provides an entertaining and thought-provoking look into the human condition, self-identity, love, and professional life, all while delivering excellent characterization, commendable performances, and exceptional writing. The show aims to make the audience question the idea of what it truly means to live with yourself.