After Life: A comedic take on grief

By Herman M. Lagon

Beyond just a Netflix series, Ricky Gervais’ After Life is an honest, poignant, and profoundly philosophical reflection on what it means to live, grieve, and find one’s place in the world after losing a loved one.

Thanks to a gentle prod from my ISUFST colleague, Prof. Edmer Bernardo, I was reminded, upon re-watching the series, how this 18-episode journey pierces the din of everyday life and firmly plants itself in the domain of existential thought. Like going back and re-reading Gulliver’s Travels or re-viewing The Two Towers of The Lord of the Rings, 5-year-old TV series After Life reveals new depths to our understanding of the human condition with each episode, revealing layers of dark humor and heartbreak beneath the surface.

Tony Johnson (Gervais), a local journalist devastated by his wife Lisa’s passing, is the central character of the series. Through Tony’s journey, the program examines the depths of grief and our nearly instinctive need for connection—even in the face of despair. This thematic exploration is profoundly personal and universal at the same time. Tony’s story reflects the very real difficulties faced by anyone who has ever experienced the loss of a loved one. His regular encounters with the people in his small town as a journalist provide comic relief and poignant reminders that life goes on despite its absurdities.

Not only is After Life brutally honest about grief, but almost every scene has a subtle, frequently humorous existentialist commentary. This is what really sets the film apart. Consider the statement, “We all die, but not today.” This sums up existentialism’s core ideas: Life is short, uncertain, and frequently painful, but there is strength in accepting that we are still here—at least for the time being. It reminds me of the thoughts one might have while contemplating the Yahoos—crude and base creatures that mirror our own frailties and grotesque existence. Similar to how Jonathan Swift’s satire exposes aspects of human nature, Gervais’s dark comedy makes us face our own discomfort with death.

In a very poignant scene from the show, Tony muses over the idea that after 13.8 billion years of nothingness, we only have a small window of time—80 or 90 years, if we’re lucky—before we disappear into nothingness again. This idea is reflected in many existential philosophies, which emphasize the present more than what happens to us after death. Gervais doesn’t provide cozy platitudes or simple solutions. Rather, he portrays life as it is: chaotic, erratic, and frequently painful. However, Tony’s journey offers us glimmers of hope and examples of how kindness and human connection can give meaning to even the most difficult circumstances.

The brilliance of After Life is in its ability to strike a balance between somber reflections and dark humor. Consider Tony’s view that his indifference to everything or anyone is a superpower. It’s a protective mechanism to keep himself safe from more suffering. However, as the show progresses, Tony learns that caring makes life bearable. Having concern for things is what matters most. Having kindness and the ability to uplift others is the true superpower. One of the main ideas of the show is this revelation, which is presented in Gervais’s characteristically direct manner: kindness is a small but potent act of rebellion in a world full of suffering.

Like Tony, we are all navigating a world that can be intimidating at times, particularly during challenging times like grief. However, Gervais—the creator, writer, executive producer, and director of this scholarly masterpiece—reminds us that kindness, humor, and connection can still exist in our darkest hours. This message is especially relevant as we mark the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Month this September. Many people who battle depression and suicidal thoughts can relate to Tony’s journey from considering suicide to discovering little moments of joy and purpose in his daily life. The black-comedy drama tackles these subjects head-on with empathy and, occasionally, awkward candor rather than avoiding them.

It is interesting to note that this month also happens to be Teachers’ Month, a time to consider how educators influence people’s lives amid all the stresses, anxieties, burnouts, and depression. After Life provides insightful lessons in connection and resilience for educators. Teachers, like Tony, frequently struggle to balance their personal emotional challenges with the weight of duty and the responsibility of caring for others. However, teachers leave a lasting impression through these little, seemingly insignificant moments—whether it is a thoughtful lesson, a shared laugh, or a kind word—much like the people in Tony’s Life who unintentionally aid in his recovery.

A significant component of the show’s philosophical profundity is its emphasis on life’s randomness. Tony thinks, “We’re just souls floating on the breeze.” The existential idea that a lot of life is out of our control—where we are born, who we meet, and what we go through—is expressed in this line. This concept feels especially pertinent in the wake of the pandemic, when everyone witnessed the ugliness of life. Nevertheless, despite this randomness, there is beauty in the relationships we form and the common experiences that provide life with its ephemeral sense of purpose.

After Life is, at its core, a modern reflection on the timeless philosophical question: ‘What is the meaning of life?’ Like existentialists Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, Gervais responds that there is no intrinsic meaning to life. Rather, it is up to us to craft our own meaning, to derive significance from the relationships we form and the compassion we bestow upon others. This is a profoundly humanist message that speaks to various situations and cultures, including the experience of the Filipino people.

Tony finds that happiness cannot be owned or held onto as he learns to live again. “Husbandry is wonderful. It doesn’t matter if it belongs to you or not; it’s so amazing,” he remarks. One of the show’s most important lessons is captured in this line: happiness is temporary and frequently appears at unexpected times. It serves as a reminder to rejoice in other people’s happiness and to hold onto our victories even when it seems like everything is crumbling around us.

By the show’s last episodes, Tony has learned to live with his grief rather than try to overcome it. The last scene, in which Tony disappears into thin air with his dog Brandy, serves as a potent allegory for life in general. Even though we all eventually fade, the connections, love, and memories we leave behind never stop affecting the people we touch. It serves as a poignant reminder that although life is fleeting, its effects can endure a lifetime.

After Life is a masterful examination of existential philosophy encased in gloomy humor and a moving narrative. It serves as a reminder that life is fleeting, arbitrary, and frequently painful, but it is also lovely and full of little moments of joy and connection. Gervais’s message is evident as we work through our individual and societal challenges: kindness, empathy, and human connection make life worthwhile. After Life provides a much-needed reminder to persevere, find meaning in the small things, and cherish our time in a world that can sometimes be overwhelming. The show poignantly reminds us that “life is precious because you can’t watch it again.”

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.