Florida Man – Netflix Series Review

FLORIDA MAN on Netflix is a new series with seven hour-long episodes in the season. It’s described as a “crime dramedy” which covers it pretty well. Also, there’s a mystery and survival story in there. Read our full Florida Man series review here!

FLORIDA MAN is a new Netflix series. It’s quite the genre hybrid with a crime plot that includes a mystery, a treasure hunt, and a survival story. The style is dramedy which suits the title perfectly. In fact, it seems like every little side story is taken from real news.

There are seven episodes in the season and each has a runtime of around 50 minutes, which means they’re labeled “hour-long”. If you’ve watched the trailer, you’ll know the tone and style; Lots of crazy characters, a fast pace, and wild twists, but also something that feels strangely familiar. A very entertaining and charming series!

Continue reading our Florida Man series review below. Find the series on Netflix from April 13, 2023.

A charming and wild plot

The struggling ex-cop, Mike (Edgar Ramírez), lost his job and relationship when he became a gambler. Now an ex-gambler, he’s working off his debt by collecting debt from other gamblers for the very same mobster he owes himself. It’s a messy situation, but he tries to keep everyone safe (or alive, at least) while paying off this gambling debt.

When the Philly mobster’s girlfriend gets fed up and runs away, Mike is sent after her to bring her back. It should’ve been a simple job, but she’s gone to Florida. That’s where Mike is from, so he is actually a Florida man himself.

Once he returns home, he immediately becomes trapped in a wildly spiraling journey. One full of buried family secrets, and a futile attempt to do right in a place where most is wrong.

Florida Man also stars Abbey Lee in a key role as the runaway girlfriend who goes to Florida. In other words, she’s the reason Mike (Edgar Ramirez) has to go to Florida as well. Earlier, I wasn’t sure what to think of Abbey Lee, though I did like her. However, she then completely won me over in Lovecraft Country.

And yes, Abbey Lee continues to be awesome as Delly West in Florida Man.

Other key characters are portrayed by Anthony LaPaglia (Nitram), Emory Cohen (Lords of Chaos), Clark Gregg (Run Sweetheart Run), Otmara Marrero, Lex Scott Davis (A Lot of Nothing), Isaiah Johnson, Paul Schneider (Abandoned), Lauren Buglioli.

The crazy stories from Florida

The new Netflix series doesn’t actually begin in Florida, but we get there very fast. Once the story moves to Florida, it goes quite crazy. Though, to be fair, there are a few crazy moments before the story gets there as well.

Still, no other state seems to compare to Florida when it comes to crazy stories and people doing wacky sh*t.

You know the stories from the news. The kind that begins with “Florida man…” and then goes on to state something crazy. In the case of this series, our main character Mike (Edgar Ramirez) has become Internet famous before episode 1 is even halfway.

However, it’s also worth noting those small stories being described in the background. Usually, the news is playing on a TV and has crazy elements. Just mentioned in passing, but often sounding like something you’ve heard before. Or like when a guy is shooting his gun into the ocean. Is this his way of fishing or just wanting to shoot something?

Who knows, it’s a Florida man doing what he does!

Watch Florida Man on Netflix now!

The new Netflix series Florida Man comes from creator Donald Todd. He also wrote and produced series such as Sleepy Hollow, This Is Us, and was the co-creator of Samantha Who?. He even wrote on two episodes of The Twilight Zone back in 1985.

Directors include Haifaa Al-Mansour (Archive 81), Miguel Arteta (American Horror Story season 1), Julian Farino (Entourage), Kevin Bray (The Patient), and Clark Gregg, who also has a key role in the series. A supporting role, but one that impacts the plot from episode 1.

While I never understand when they don’t explain why Edgar Ramírez has an accent, he is amazing in this role. He is called “Miguel” at one point as well (instead of just “Mike”), but his father and sister have no Spanish-sounding accent, so it should be addressed in episode 1 why he does.

It’s not all-important when he manages to work so well in this role, but it could so easily be used in the story. I just don’t understand why it isn’t as Edgar Ramírez is clearly perfect in the lead of this series.

Basically, you’ll definitely want to check out this new series if you enjoy crazy plots that escalate and twist in wild ways. The seven episodes in this series are quickly watched and you’ll have fun doing it.

Florida Man is on Netflix globally from April 13, 2023.

Details

Cast: Edgar Ramírez, Abbey Lee, Anthony LaPaglia, Otmara Marrero, Lex Scott Davis, Emory Cohen, Clark Gregg, Isaiah Johnson, Paul Schneider, Lauren Buglioli