Ozark: An Overview

Have you ever wanted to watch a show where money and power reign supreme? Then maybe you should check out Ozark, an American crime drama-thriller streaming television series created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams. Netflix originally released the show back in July of 2017 and since then it has built a large fan base, even winning multiple awards. This series follows the Byrde family as they are forced to relocate to the lake region of the Ozarks after their life in the city was threatened by a Mexican cartel money laundering plan gone wrong.

Throughout the show, the cinematography and camera work capture the beauty of the area of the Ozarks as it serves as the backdrop for the Byrde family’s escapades. The show follows the family’s exploits as they try to build a better life for themselves by involving themselves in financial dealings with the drug cartels and dirty politicians. The series stars Jason Bateman (Marty Byrde), Laura Linney (Wendy Byrde), Sofia Hublitz (Charlotte Byrde), Skylar Gaertner (Jonah Byrde), and Julia Garner (Ruth Langmore).

What Makes Ozark Stand Out

One of the biggest things that sets Ozark apart from other shows is its ambiguity. A lot of time other shows have black and white situations where the bad guys are clearly defined, and as a viewer it is simpler to follow the plot. On Ozark, with the criminal underworld blurring the lines between good and bad, it’s tougher to know who is a bad guy, who’s a good guy, and who is caught in the middle. Because of this, each episode brings more questions than answers and leaves the viewer unable to pick a side.

The show also dives into themes of morality and family. As the Byrdes slowly become more involved with the underworld of the cartel and dirty politicians, questions about how much further is too far and when does one lose one’s humanity begin to surface. We also see how the stress from the Byrdes’ criminal dealings leak into their relationships and cause tension in the family. How far are the Byrdes willing to go to get ahead and will the cost be too much?

Ozark and the Ozarks

Throughout the show, the Ozarks serves as both an idyllic landscape for the Byrdes and an backdrop for the criminal activities. Unlike other shows set in the Midwest, Ozark takes time to relish in the beauty of the area as well as some of its interesting human inhabitants, like the Langmore family, who have deep roots in the region and its criminal underbelly.

Ozark also gets its name from the Ozark Mountains which span 115,000 square miles and are located primarily in southern Missouri, northwestern Arkansas, and eastern Oklahoma. The topography in the region is unique with rocky outcroppings, where much of the show takes place. It’s a place of isolation and beauty, which is at odds with the intense criminal activities and sparse population.

Final Thoughts

Ozark is a compelling crime drama full of plenty of twists and turns. It’s an excellent show for anybody looking to explore a new setting and get lost in the world of the Byrde family. With its morally challenging scenarios and intriguing characters, Ozark is definitely worth watching if you haven’t already.