Netflix’s Inside Job Deserved Better

by

As a huge sci-fi fan, I’ve always loved how diverse the genre is – you’ve got mind-bending shows like Fringe and Pluribus, then massive franchises like Star Trek. And lately, I’ve really been enjoying the animated sci-fi comedies, especially Netflix’s Inside Job, which premiered in 2021. It was genuinely brilliant, but sadly, after a fantastic run, Netflix decided to cancel it, which was a real disappointment.

As a huge animation fan, I was really excited about Inside Job – it was created by Shion Takeuchi, who wrote for Gravity Falls, one of my all-time favorites! Plus, Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch and BoJack Horseman director Mike Hollingsworth were executive producers, so the talent behind it was amazing. That’s why I was so bummed when Netflix unexpectedly canceled it, completely scrapping any future seasons they had planned. It felt like a real loss for unique animated storytelling.

What Was Inside Job About?

This comedy centers around a secret organization disguised as a company called Cognito, Inc. The show follows Reagan, the driven and anxious daughter of Cognito’s founder, Rand. Reagan is determined to surpass her father and take control of the company.

The documentary series Inside Job surprisingly validated many conspiracy theories, suggesting a secret power structure manipulates everything around us – including the weather and political leaders. It delved into well-known ideas like the existence of lizard people, the belief that the Earth is flat, mysteries surrounding the Denver Airport, questions about the Moon Landing, and the strange phenomenon known as the Mandela Effect.

Initially, Reagan expects to be promoted to team leader. However, she’s surprised when the CEO, J.R. Scheimpough, tells her she needs a co-leader because she struggles with teamwork and connecting with people.

J.R. hires Brett, a consistently agreeable and upbeat person, who is very different from Reagan. Initially, they have trouble collaborating, but they soon discover their strengths complement each other, making them an effective team. This marks the start of the story Inside Out as Reagan pursues her goal of becoming CEO of Cognito, Inc.

The animated series Inside Job shares a lot of similarities with Gravity Falls, but with a more mature tone. It also appealed to fans of Rick & Morty, as the main character Reagan’s father is a typical, troubled genius scientist. Despite its popularity, Netflix unexpectedly cancelled the show, ending it on a cliffhanger.

Inside Job Also Delved into Complex Family Dynamics

While Inside Job focused on conspiracy theories, it also featured surprisingly emotional moments and explored the personal histories of its characters. This was particularly evident with Reagan, whose difficult childhood and complex relationship with her parents deeply influenced her adult relationships and choices. However, Reagan wasn’t the only character with a compelling backstory.

The movie Inside Job not only highlighted the main characters, but also helped viewers connect with the team surrounding them. Brett, in particular, was a standout. He begins as someone who simply agrees with everything, lacking experience and ambition, but gradually finds his confidence and learns to speak up.

I really appreciated how Inside Job went deeper than just surface-level jokes with Brett. They explored his background, his messed-up family, and how desperately he wanted everyone to like him – it made him a much more relatable and interesting character, not just the comic relief. And even though the show couldn’t give everyone a full backstory, it still gave us glimpses into what made Myc and Glenn tick, which I always enjoy seeing in a show like this.

As the series went on, Inside Job focused less on its sci-fi plots and more on the backstories and relationships of the characters who worked at the company. The show was particularly funny and captivating because of the dynamic between the members of Reagan’s team, and how their different personalities played off each other.

As a big animation fan, watching Inside Job really reminded me of shows like Futurama. Brett and Fry always felt like two sides of the same coin to me, and Reagan played that steady, leadership role like Leela did. But what struck me about Inside Job was how much further it pushed things – it wasn’t afraid to be really raunchy, but it also managed to tell surprisingly heartfelt stories about its characters. It definitely took those character-driven moments to a new level.

Inside Job Was Supported by an Incredible Voice Cast

With its unique tone and funny writing, Inside Job quickly became a favorite for viewers who enjoy animated comedies. The show features a fantastic voice cast, including the actor playing Reagan Ridley, the daughter of Rand Ridley. Rand, the former CEO and co-founder of Cognito, Inc., is voiced by Christian Slater, known for his role in Heathers.

I’m really excited to see Leslie David Baker, who I loved as Stanley in The Office, play Brett! He’s this seemingly typical college guy, but he’s got a good heart, and he ends up working alongside Reagan as a team leader. Plus, Tisha Campbell from My Wife and Kids is joining the cast as Gigi! She’s in charge of public relations and media for the team, and her official title is Head of Media Manipulation and Subliminal Messages – which sounds pretty interesting!

John DiMaggio, known for his voice work, voices Glenn Dolphman in the animated series Inside Job. Dolphman is a soldier transformed into a human-dolphin hybrid by a flawed experiment. Comedian and MADtv alum Bobby Lee plays Dr. Andre Lee, the team’s biochemist and resident fun-lover.

Brett Gelman voices Myc Cellium in the animated series Inside Job. Myc is a peculiar creature from the Earth’s core with the power to read minds, and a substance he creates is used to wipe people’s memories. Andy Daly, a comedian and actor known from MADtv and numerous voice-acting jobs, plays Julius Reginald “J.R.” Scheimpough, the co-founder and CEO of Cognito.

Chris Diamantopoulos, known for his work in shows like Invincible and from Silicon Valley, voices the character Alpha-Beta. Alpha-Beta is a self-aware robot created by Reagan in the first episode of Inside Job. Reagan originally intended Alpha-Beta to replace the U.S. President, but the robot attempts to take over the world instead.

The Netflix animated series features a talented cast of guest and recurring voice actors. In the second part of Inside Job, we meet Ronald “Ron” Staedtler, voiced by . Suzy Nakamura, known from Dead to Me, plays Tamiko, Reagan’s mother and Rand’s former wife. Notably, Alex Hirsch, the creator of Gravity Falls, also appears as Grassy Noel Atkinson, the man who supposedly assassinated JFK.

Fans Still Hope Inside Job Will Finish Its Storyline Someday

The animated series, which premiered in 2022, was initially picked up for another season, but Netflix later changed its mind and canceled it. This decision frustrated and saddened many viewers, as Inside Job was improving with each episode and had a promising future.

Initially, Inside Job centered on the team’s individual missions. However, as the show went on, it began to explore bigger, season-long mysteries and intriguing characters, like the Order of the Black Robes – a secret society that controls the world and gives Cognito, Inc. its directives. The series also delved deeper into Reagan’s personal journey, revealing more about her unusual childhood.

The last few episodes of Inside Job hinted at an even more mysterious and expansive storyline for a potential second season, moving beyond simple conspiracy theories to explore the people in power and what drives them. Unfortunately, it seems fans may not ever get to see how that story concludes.

It’s been nearly four years since Inside Job finished, but dedicated fans are still hoping for a revival. The show was building towards a larger, more complex storyline in part two, and viewers are eager to see how the story would have continued.

It’s not uncommon for canceled or overlooked shows to find a way back, and many fans are hoping that will happen with Inside Job. The show was praised for its unique humor, compelling stories, and intriguing central mystery, plus it featured a fantastic voice cast. A dedicated fanbase is still eager for another season.

Read More

2026-01-16 17:12