Today, we have two shows that examine the dark places that spring up from us being human. One is a Limited series called Inside Man, while the second is an indie feature film, On the Count of Three.

Inside Man (Netflix) - This four episode Limited Series works on the premise of a quotation from one of the main characters, Jefferson Grieff (Stanley Tucci), a convicted felon on death row: ‘Everyone is a murderer. You just have to meet the right person’. From there, the series unfolds as an examination into the dark corners any person can find themselves in, as they do things in the name of love, family, protecting their loved ones, or doing good. The series proposes that there’s a myriad of ways we can disguise our murderous streak, or channel circumstances to justify to ourselves the horrible acts we are all capable of doing - that is, taking the life of someone else. The other main character is a vicar in an English village, Harry (David Tennant).

 The series is created by Steven Moffat who gave us Sherlock a few years back, so you can already imagine how twisted and convoluted this will get, and how deductive reasoning will play a big part in the exposition. And you won’t be disappointed. There’s a strong opening scene involving sexual harassment on a public train, and it introduces us to a local journalist, Beth Davenport (Lydia West), and her savior’ Janice (Dolly Wells). Now I have to say some suspension of disbelief is required when things spiral out of hand to set the stage for what follows. You’ll be screaming to the screen, exhorting Harry to come clean about a USB drive entrusted to him which contains pedophile porn. But if you let that pass, what follows is a suspenseful ride, buoyed by two rewarding performances from Tucci and Tennant.

On the Count of Three (Video On Demand) - This indie feature teeters on a tightrope, balancing between psychological drama and farcical comedy. The two main characters are played by Jerrod Carmichael and Christopher Abbott, and they’re friends who for circumstances that are unique for each, now contemplate suicide but just can’t figure out how to go about achieving it. So they hit on the crazy solution of each one taking the life of the other at an agreed upon moment. But before that, they’ll spend one day trying to remember what it was like when life was actually enjoyable and worth living, or seeking retribution from those who hurt them. It’s a premise that’s not cookie cutter in any way, and you can appreciate the challenge in making it work. 

Tiffany Haddish and Henry Winkler provide able support, with portrayals that are definitely out of left field for the two, the opposite of typecasting. And I must confess that while the dark, gallows humor can be quite funny and entertaining, even I could feel the stretching of the premise and how it can be draining. At some point, you’re just wondering if they’ll actually perform the pact effectively, or if one last trick up the sleeve of the director (Carmichael himself) and the writers will be played out. What the film does provide is a searing examination into male mental health, and how honest and upfront this film tackles the issues. The dark comedy elements may not sit well with everyone, but you can’t deny the strength of the film.