True Story

Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes star in Netflix’s latest limited series True Story, which gets off to an exhilarating start with its opening two episodes. Hart stars as Kid, a massively successful comedian turned Hollywood star, about to kickstart a new tour in his hometown of Philadelphia. But when a night out with his irresponsible older brother (Snipes) ends in disaster, Kid finds himself in a situation that threatens to destroy his career and life. 

The set-up may not be anything especially new, but Hart and Snipes’ camaraderie is what makes this series work. The pair’s chemistry is instantly contagious, from the moment they appear onscreen: Hart and Snipes are the best pairing in years. Their lively personalities are a lot of fun and a rich source of comedy, but there’s a lot of history and friction that comes across in their relationship too – something the series is likely to dive further into as it continues. It’s refreshing to see Hart in a more serious role this time around, as opposed the buffoonish loudmouth roles that he’s traditionally cast in. This is the actor’s chance to let his talent shine, and it does. There’s great deal of pent-up rage lurking underneath his character’s friendly smile, and the cracks are already start to show just two episodes in.

Outside of the sibling rivalry and edge-of-your-seat thrills that drive the series forward, True Story likewise seems to be taking aim at racial issues. An over-excited fan uses inappropriate language, and the brothers are stopped by a police officer because they look suspicious, for example. Despite these moments being more lighthearted and comedic in tone, their meaning never goes unnoticed. 

There’s a lot of greatness going on here: the central story is gripping, it can be funny while nudging at provocative issues, and it’s all delivered by two excellent performances from Hart and Snipes. There’s certainly a lot more to come from this series, and if the opening episodes are an indication of what to expect, True Story could be truly remarkable.

Andrew Murray

True Story is released on Netflix on 24^th November 2021.

Watch the trailer for True Story here: