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Mr In-Between
Mr In-Between
Mr In-Between
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Mr In-Between
Theatrical poster
Directed byPaul Sarossy
Written byPeter Waddington
Neil Cross (novel)
Produced byAndreas Bajohra
Michael Cowan
Yvonne Michael
Jason Piette
Bob Portal
StarringAndrew Howard
Geraldine O'Rawe
Andrew Tiernan
David Calder
CinematographyHaris Zambarloukos
Edited byEddie Hamilton
Music byJennie Muskett
Distributed byVerve Pictures
Release dates
  • 10 September 2001 (2001-09-10) (TIFF)[1]
  • 3 October 2003 (2003-10-03) (UK)[2]
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Mr In-Between (also called The Killing Kind) is a 2001 British crime drama film based on the 1998 novel of the same title by English novelist Neil Cross. The film was directed by cinematographer Paul Sarossy, his only directorial role to date, and the screenplay written by Peter Waddington, who also has a small role in the film.

Plot summary

[edit]

In 2002, hitman Jon lives a life of relative solitude, until one day he happens upon an old friend, Andy, and is plunged into an unneeded relationship. The truth slowly unravels about Jon and what he does, endangering the lives of those close to him, and Jon is faced with an ultimatum. He must make his most difficult decision ever: whether to save the woman he loves or kill her and the child.

Cast

[edit]
Actor Role
Andrew Howard Jon
Geraldine O'Rawe Cathy
Andrew Tiernan Andy
David Calder Tattooed Man
Mark Benton Phil
Clive Russell Mr. Michaelmas
Saeed Jaffrey Mr. Basmati
Clint Dyer Rickets
Peter Waddington Priest
Gina Yashere Dancing Woman
Perry Benson Nelson
Al Hunter Ashton Fat Dave
Brian Hibbard Gordon

Production notes

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Derek Elley of Variety called it "unevenly acted and scripted".[3] Jamie Russell of the BBC rated it 3/5 stars and called it "commendably ambitious, but only occasionally successful".[2] Alan Morrison of Empire rated it 3/5 stars and wrote that the film becomes more pretentious as time goes on.[4] Total Film rated it 2/5 stars and called it "intense, reflective yarn" that wallows in sadism.[5] Time Out London called it bleak, stylistically bold, and occasionally pretentious.[1] David Johnson of DVD Verdict called it "a refreshingly original take on the hitman-with-a-conscience gig."[6] Glenn Erickson of DVD Talk called it "an overachieving straight-to-video feature" that treats its subject matter as more important than it is.[7]

Awards

[edit]

Mr In-Between won Best UK Feature at Raindance Film Festival.[8] Andrew Howard won Best Actor at the Tokyo International Film Festival.[9]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mr In-Between

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mr Inbetween is an Australian dark comedy-crime drama television series created by and starring Scott Ryan as Ray Shoesmith, a pragmatic and fixer who navigates the challenges of his illicit profession while maintaining relationships as a father, ex-husband, boyfriend, brother, and best friend. Inspired by Ryan's 2005 cult film The Magician, the series explores themes of family, loyalty, and moral ambiguity through a blend of sharp humor, violence, and emotional depth. It premiered in the United States on on September 25, 2018, with the Australian debut following on on October 1, 2018, and concluded after on July 13, 2021, comprising 26 episodes in total. The show was co-produced by and , with directing multiple episodes alongside Ryan, who also wrote the series. Key supporting cast includes Chika Yasumura as Ray's daughter Brittany, as his loyal friend Gerry, as the volatile crime boss Freddy, and as Ray's girlfriend Ally. Filmed primarily in , , the series draws on authentic Australian urban settings to ground its narrative in realism, contrasting Ray's ordinary domestic life with his ruthless dealings. Critically acclaimed for its tight writing, Ryan's nuanced performance, and innovative mix of genres, Mr Inbetween holds a 95% approval rating on based on 29 reviews, with critics praising its "bulletproof leading performance" and ability to balance brutality with heartfelt moments. The audience score stands at 98%, reflecting widespread viewer appreciation for its character-driven storytelling. While it did not receive major international awards, the series won Most Outstanding at the Australian in 2019 and received further nominations in 2022. It solidified Ryan's reputation as a multifaceted talent in Australian television.

Background and Development

Source Material

Mr Inbetween is inspired by Scott Ryan's 2005 Australian cult film The Magician, a low-budget mockumentary that Ryan wrote, directed, starred in, and produced on a budget of A$3,000 over 10 days. The film follows Ray Shoesmith, a hitman in , through a found-footage style as an Italian film student documents his life, blending dark humor with elements and exploring the character's dual existence as a killer and everyday man. It premiered at the 2005 Melbourne Underground Film Festival and gained a for its raw, authentic portrayal of Australian underworld figures, drawing from real hitmen biographies Ryan researched. Ryan, a former film student and pizza delivery driver from Echuca, Victoria, created The Magician as his debut feature, which received positive reviews for its innovative style and Ryan's charismatic performance but limited commercial release due to its independent nature. The film's success at festivals sparked interest in expanding Ray Shoesmith's story into a television series, allowing deeper exploration of themes like family, loyalty, and moral ambiguity in a serialized format.

Pre-Production

Development of began shortly after The Magician's release, with Ryan and longtime collaborator (producer and director) pitching the series concept for over a decade, facing multiple rejections and near-misses before securing funding. In 2015, they partnered with Jungle Entertainment, leading to the project's commission by FX Australia on June 6, 2017, as the network's first original n drama series, co-produced with . Ryan wrote all episodes, while Edgerton directed the majority, with Michele Bennett as producer and executive producers including Ryan, Edgerton, and Jason Burrows. Pre-production was swift, with commencing on August 31, 2017, in Sydney's western suburbs to capture authentic urban Australian settings. The half-hour format allowed for tight, episodic storytelling, emphasizing character development over the film's style, though retaining its blend of violence, humor, and emotional depth. Challenges included adapting the low-budget ethos of The Magician to television while securing international distribution, culminating in a U.S. series order from on May 11, 2018, ahead of its Australian premiere.

Production

Casting

Scott Ryan stars as Ray Shoesmith, the hitman protagonist, drawing from his role in the 2005 short film The Magician that inspired the series. The ensemble cast includes Chika Yasumura as Ray's daughter Brittany, as his friend Gerry, as crime boss Freddy McCormack, and as Ray's girlfriend Ally Hammond. Additional key roles are filled by Nicholas Cassim as Ray's brother Bruce, Jackson Tozer as bartender Kenny, and as gang leader Dave. Casting for the series emphasized authentic Australian performers to ground the narrative in local realism, with Ryan's central performance praised for its nuance. Recurring and guest roles in later seasons included , Bryce Ezeifeka, and Anthony Hayes, expanding the underworld and family dynamics.

Filming

for Mr Inbetween took place primarily in and around , , utilizing urban locations to contrast Ray's domestic life with his criminal activities. Filming for season 1 began in August 2017, with subsequent seasons shot in 2019 and 2020–2021, respectively. The series was directed primarily by Nash Edgerton, who helmed multiple episodes per season, with additional direction from Ryan and others like Corrie Chen. Shot on digital video with a single-camera setup, episodes run approximately 30 minutes, allowing for a tight, character-focused production schedule. Co-produced by FX Productions and Foxtel, the series benefited from Australian government incentives for local content.

Plot

Mr Inbetween follows Ray Shoesmith (Scott Ryan), a Sydney-based and fixer for the criminal underworld, as he attempts to balance his violent profession with everyday personal relationships. Ray is a devoted father to his young daughter (Chika Yasumura), maintains a complicated bond with his ex-wife, pursues a romance with his Ally (Brooke Satchwell), and supports his brother and best friend Gerry () amid various crises. Working under erratic crime boss Freddy (Damon ), Ray handles jobs ranging from enforcement to cleanup, often improvising with a mix of and reluctant . The series explores Ray's internal conflicts and the blurred lines between his ordinary domestic life and the dangers of his illicit work, blending dark comedy, violence, and poignant family moments across three seasons.

Release

Premiere and Distribution

Mr Inbetween premiered in the United States on FX on September 25, 2018. The Australian television debut followed on Foxtel's Showcase channel on October 1, 2018. The series aired for three seasons, with the final episode broadcast on FX and Foxtel on July 13, 2021. Co-produced by FX Productions and Foxtel, the series was distributed day-and-date in the and for seasons 2 and 3. Internationally, it became available on various platforms, including Disney+ in and select regions, and in the United States as of 2025.;

Home Media

The first season was released on DVD in the by Fox Home Entertainment on , 2019. The second season followed on , 2019. The third and final season received a DVD release in the on August 13, 2024. No official Blu-ray editions have been released as of November 2025. In , DVD releases for all seasons are available through retailers like . The complete series is available for digital purchase or rental on platforms such as , Apple TV, and Vudu in the United States, with a digital release date of August 9, 2021. As of November 2025, it can be streamed on in the and Disney+ in and other international markets.

Reception

Critical Response

Mr Inbetween received widespread critical acclaim for its sharp writing, Scott Ryan's lead performance, and seamless blend of dark comedy, crime drama, and emotional depth. On , the series holds a 95% approval rating based on 29 critic reviews, with a consensus praising its "bulletproof leading performance" and ability to balance brutality with heartfelt moments. The audience score is 98%, indicating strong viewer appreciation. On , it has a score of 75 out of 100 based on 13 reviews, reflecting generally favorable reception. As of November 2025, rates the series 8.6 out of 10 from over 45,000 user ratings. Critics highlighted the show's efficient storytelling within short episodes (around 25 minutes), Ryan's nuanced portrayal of the morally ambiguous hitman Ray Shoesmith, and its authentic Australian setting. The Guardian described it as "one of Australia's best TV shows," noting its rare quality in blending humor and tension, though lamenting its underappreciation internationally. Roger Ebert's review called it a "smart but familiar dark comedy," commending the balance of violence and poignancy. The Hollywood Reporter deemed it "one of 2018's best shows so far," emphasizing its character-driven narrative and genre innovation. Some reviews noted minor familiarity with crime tropes but praised its originality in execution and emotional resonance. The series developed a dedicated following, often compared to shows like for its focus, and has been retrospectively hailed as a modern classic in Australian television.

Awards and Recognition

earned significant recognition in , particularly through the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards and , with 9 wins and 22 nominations overall. Scott Ryan received the AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama in 2021 for his role as Ray Shoesmith, along with the AACTA Award for Best in Television for the "Ray Who?" that year. He also won the for Most Outstanding Actor in 2019. The series was nominated for Most Outstanding Drama Series at the 2020 . Additional honors include the Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Award for Drama Series Production of the Year in 2018, and Australian Directors Guild (ADG) Awards for direction, such as Nash Edgerton's nomination in 2021 and Emma Freeman's win in 2022. Nominations extended to the Australian Writers' Guild Awards (AWGIE) for comedy in 2018 and multiple AACTA categories across seasons, including Best Television Drama Series in 2021. These accolades underscored the series' strong production values and contributions to Australian screen content, though it received limited international awards attention.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/
  2. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/mr_inbetween
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/releaseinfo/
  4. https://if.com.au/foxtel-sets-premiere-for-nash-edgertons-mr-inbetween/
  5. https://deadline.com/2018/05/fx-orders-mr-inbetween-australian-drama-series-scott-ryan-nash-edgerton-1202388359/
  6. https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/mr-inbetween/crew/scott-ryan-creator-executive-producer-writer
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461989/
  8. https://if.com.au/the-long-journey-from-the-magician-to-mr-inbetween/
  9. https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/he-was-decades-on-the-dole-and-going-nowhere-then-scott-ryan-hit-the-tv-jackpot-20221205-p5c3r6.html
  10. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/getmedia/b2f475d6-38da-466d-8eb8-e84174753dce/mr-170606-FX-Mr-InBetween.pdf
  11. https://www.ausfilm.com/news/fx-australias-first-aussie-tv-show-mr-inbetween-starts-shooting-in-sydney/
  12. https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/fx-mr-inbetween-series-order-1202807182/
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/fullcredits/
  14. https://www.screendaily.com/news/mr-inbetween-picked-up-for-third-season-by-us-broadcaster-fx/5148271.article
  15. https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2017/08/08/2017-8-9-filming-commences-on-mr-inbetween/
  16. https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/mr-inbetween/crew/nash-edgerton-director-executive-producer
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/plotsummary/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/episodes/?season=3
  19. https://www.disneyplus.com/series/mr-inbetween
  20. https://www.hulu.com/series/mr-inbetween-0c198187-f948-4ccd-b2b4-f5930ca4ac2f
  21. https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Mr-Inbetween-The-Complete-First-Season-DVD/192464/
  22. https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Inbetween-Complete-Second-Season/dp/B082JN71JC
  23. https://www.reddit.com/r/MrInbetween/comments/1fp8ma2/still_no_season_3_dvd_available_on_amazon/
  24. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/tv-shows/mr-inbetween
  25. https://www.blu-ray.com/digital/Mr-Inbetween-The-Complete-Series-Digital/44567/
  26. https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/mr-inbetween
  27. https://www.metacritic.com/tv/mr-inbetween/
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/08/mr-inbetween-is-one-of-australias-best-tv-shows-so-why-isnt-it-more-popular
  29. https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/mr-inbetween-is-smart-but-familiar-dark-comedy
  30. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/critics-notebook-fxs-australian-import-mr-inbetween-is-one-2018s-best-shows-far-1146132/
  31. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7472896/awards/
  32. https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2021-aacta-awards/
  33. https://www.tvweeklogies.com.au/nominees-2020/
  34. https://www.screenproducersaustralia.com.au/awards/
  35. https://www.adg.org.au/awards/
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