LIVING WITH YOURSELF: A Humanistic, Sin-Filled Disappointment
By Trevor Jones, Contributing Writer
LIVING WITH YOURSELF is a Netflix Original existential dark comedy.
The series follows Miles Elliot (Paul Rudd), a depressed office worker who accidentally clones himself. Trying to escape what feels like an unfulfilling life, Miles attends a spa to rejuvenate himself. Soon, he runs into his clone who turns out to be a more virtuous version of himself. The two men team up to fix the original Miles’ job and his marriage.
LIVING WITH YOURSELF explores interesting ideas, but it falls flat in execution. It features great performances, fascinating writing, and a seamless use of two Paul Rudds. However, it never quite reaches its full potential. Moreover, it includes a hedonistic worldview, extra-marital affairs, and redemption that’s never fully earned. In the end, it leaves the viewer with a bitter taste. As a TV-MA show, mature audiences should skip this series.
The series possesses a few great qualities. First, the acting is superb. Paul Rudd is able to portray the original Miles and the cloned Miles without a hitch. Rudd’s wide acting range is commendable.
Also, the show is technically impressive. LIVING WITH YOURSELF uses a mundane, desaturated color palette to illustrate realism. In the scenes where Paul Rudd portrays both Miles in the same shot, it works very well. His two opposite performances are seamless. There was never a point where the Miles and clone interactions felt fake.
From a content side, the show explores the premise at its fullest extent. It dives into the existential dread of being a clone, and how this might affect one’s purpose and identity. Both the original and clone question each other’s existence. Without spoilers, the show commits to the darker aspects of its premise. The issue here though is that while the writing deeply explore its themes, it doesn’t offer enough emotional catharsis. It’s depressing 80% of the time, and rarely deviates from that tone. It’s actually a pretty uncomfortable series to watch. By the end, Miles’ character does not grow enough, and the viewer is served an underwhelming cliffhanger.
In terms of gratuitous and inappropriate content, the show doesn’t hold back. It explores the ethical questions surrounding human cloning. The series features adultery and onscreen sex. Miles cheats on his wife. On another occasion, Kate makes love with the clone behind Miles’ back. The language is also heavy with F-bombs.
The show clearly exhibits a non-Christian worldview. Miles and his wife, Kate, want to escape their depression. They seek hedonistic, sensual pleasure as their getaway, but the show advocates a humanistic answer. To obtain happiness, they must live as morally better people. When Miles’ clone leaps into the fray, it complicates the situation.
Alcohol use is present as well as deception and illegal operations.
Violence, gore, and small objectionable bits make the list. Miles and his clone plot each other’s murder, but neither succeed. Miles receives a corpse of a pig. In one instance, an irate lobbyist urinates on Miles. In another instance, two FDA agents drag Miles to a basement and arrest him on the charge of illegal cloning.
To round off the criticisms, the show falters in its details. Most of the supporting characters don’t add much. The subplots, while fine on paper, take away from the main conflict between Miles and the clone.
In conclusion, Movieguide® cannot recommend LIVING WITH YOURSELF for mature audiences. While the acting and exploration of cloning are admirable, the show is unfocused and hedonistic. The main characters commit adultery on numerous occasions, and even when they do repent, the payoff is unsatisfying. Viewers should skip this series.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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