Credit: Netflix

Little Brother on Netflix brings the perfect dose of comic timing and laugh-out-loud laughter, that too on a Friday, when the audience desperately craves a mix of the two after keeping up with all that formality, poker faces, and do-or-die deadlines throughout the workweek.

Directed by Matt Spicer, the Netflix comedy begins with the character studies of two increasingly different personalities: Marcus Pinchel, an eccentric young man living in a psychiatric ward who only looks up to one person and is somewhat obsessed with, his supposed elder brother; Rudd Landy, an uptight real estate agent who dreams of making it big in New York City and happens to be Marcus’s supposed brother.

At a time when Rudd is preparing for a highly anticipated appearance at a reality TV show focused on up-and-coming entrepreneurs, which could be the biggest break of his career, Marcus decides to visit his big brother. And in doing so, he breaks out of the psychiatric ward, breaking several laws, culminating in an accident that fractures his neck.

Marcus then asks the doctors to contact his big brother, and when Rudd arrives at the hospital, he can barely recognise Marcus. But his memory eventually falls into place, and he’s reminded of that one time he took part in a Big Brother initiative in high school that stuck with Marcus throughout. Left with no choice, Rudd brings Marcus back home with him, and before he knows it, his little brother ends up charming everyone but him. So, do they ever truly reconcile?

Do Rudd and Marcus reconcile in Little Brother?

The thing about Marcus is that, despite his eccentricities, he gives off a warmth Rudd initially fails to see in Little Brother. But what sours the already tense relationship is when the reality TV showrunners show interest in Marcus, making him a crucial part of Rudd’s episode. Although the latter initially agrees despite knowing Marcus’s psychiatric history, acknowledging the need for the opportunity, the charade falls apart at Rudd’s elder brother Josh’s party.

When Marcus ends up impressing Josh, probably more than Rudd himself ever has, a kerfuffle between the latter two ensues, and Rudd accidentally pushes his elder brother off the terrace. As Marcus heroically saves Josh, Rudd decides to go public about Marcus’ escape from the psychiatric ward. However, Rudd is placed in an incredibly tough spot to learn that his little brother had voluntarily entered the ward, hoping to find existential answers.

As Marcus leaves Rudd’s place, it feels like reconciliation is definitely unlikely in the cards. Yet, it doesn’t take long for the elder brother to realise the instant void as the liveliness vanishes into the air, leading Rudd to reflect on and introspect on his actions and their source. It is clear to him that he has taken Marcus for granted to an extent, carrying forward the coldness he believes he has been the recipient of.

Rudd has been on a mission to outdo Josh, which is unmissably driven by an inferiority complex. And inadvertently, he has been trying to seek Josh’s validation all his life, hoping he sees the brilliance in his little brother, when Marcus has already realised it long ago. As little brothers, you see, Marcus and Rudd aren’t too different, and as big brothers, the same ironically applies to Josh and Rudd.

Although the realisation occurs late, thankfully, it’s better late than never. So, Rudd decides to drive all the way to the psychiatric ward, ultimately joining forces with Marcus in his quirks, reconciling, and concluding a with happy ending.