Ramy review: A brilliant, thoughtful series about the search for one's place

Ramy, the new comedy series from Hulu, is a breath of fresh air, a wonderfully deep look at a Muslim family living in current day America where faith and trying to find one’s path become a delicate balance.

There is a level of confidence in some shows that comes with time, where it can take some effort to find that certain voice where everything clicks. There are others, like Hulu’s Ramy, where it comes out of the gate bloomed and full of life.

Created by Ramy Youssef, Ari Katcher, and Ryan Welch, Ramy does not shy away from difficult lines of topic when delving into its characters’ lives. Each episode, told with laser-sharp focus, is an immense treasure trove of detail, intimate and revealing and always universally relatable.

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The show at times tackles ideas other shows would steer clear of, or at least do not go as far into. It’s in these moments Ramy becomes a complete surprise, where it uses unlikely material to say something poetic or illuminating.

It’s a show where struggling with one’s faith clashes with the wants and needs of the present day. It’s about finding a balance of tradition inside a changing world. The show touches on the double standards of society, along with expectations versus taking tradition on in your own way.

While Ramy is the star of the show, the more potent episodes come in those centered on his mother Maysa (Hiam Abbass) and his sister Dena (May Calamawy). While other episodes dive deep into ideals, it’s in these two episodes where it finds something profound.

There’s a level of character on display some comedies don’t always boil down to. They’re fully realized, exposed and shown at their most raw. Doing this while still remaining a comedy is a balancing act done so effortlessly, it’s hard to imagine there are not any growing pains on this show.

There are hints of FX’s Louie and Netflix’s Master of None in its approach, but Ramy is its own thing. It’s similar simply in delivering a strong voice in an independent filmmaking style, where there’s an indie spirit in its sprightly earnestness.

Here is the trailer for the series:

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Ramy goes to great lengths sharing its wealth of ideas and lands on a brilliant overall message: everyone wants to find their place in the world, and it can take a journey to get there. Hulu brings a new voice in comedy to the table, and it’s a series with an abundance of creativity and excitement at its core.

Ramy‘s 10-episode first season arrives on Hulu on April 19. What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments!

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Ramy review: A brilliant, thoughtful series about the search for one’s place

By Kevin Lever | Apr 15, 2019

Ramy, the new comedy series from Hulu, is a breath of fresh air, a wonderfully deep look at a Muslim family living in current day America where faith and trying to find one’s path become a delicate balance.