Bob Odenkirk, known for his iconic role as Saul Goodman, delivers a remarkable performance in the Prime Video series Undone. The show, released in recent years, has captivated critics with its inventive storytelling and animation, earning a 98% rating despite flying under the mainstream radar. Odenkirk portrays Jacob Winograd, a deceased father who appears to his daughter to guide her through supernatural time-travel abilities, blending emotional depth with science fiction elements.
The Premise and Characters of Undone
Undone follows Alma Winograd-Diaz, played by Rosa Salazar, who struggles with family tensions and personal dissatisfaction. Alma’s relationships with her mother Camila Diaz (Constance Marie) and sister Becca Winograd-Diaz (Angelique Cabral) are strained, as they worry about her well-being while she feels judged. Her life changes dramatically after surviving a serious car accident, which triggers her discovery of new temporal abilities. Jacob, her late father portrayed by Odenkirk, appears to initiate her into these powers and asks her to investigate the mystery surrounding his death. The series explores themes of family, identity, and the consequences of time manipulation.
Innovative Visual Style Enhances the Storytelling
Undone is distinguished by its visually striking animation that combines motion capture and rotoscoping, reminiscent of Richard Linklater’s A Scanner Darkly. This technique allows the actors‘ real facial expressions and body language to inform their animated counterparts, enabling Odenkirk’s portrayal of Jacob to resonate with sincerity and nuance. The mixture of surreal sci-fi sequences with intimate family drama scenes is heightened by this animation style, weaving a tale that is as visually mesmerizing as it is emotionally compelling.
The production process posed challenges for the cast, especially given the COVID-19 pandemic. They filmed primarily in green-screen environments, often alone or in small groups due to safety protocols. Bob Odenkirk found the isolation difficult, recalling a moment with co-stars Rosa Salazar and Angelique Cabral when he said,
I need you! Please help me!
—Raphael Bob-Waksberg, creator
Bob Odenkirk’s Nuanced Performance as Jacob Winograd
Odenkirk’s role as Jacob represents one of his most layered performances beyond his Saul Goodman character. His portrayal captures both the flaws and vulnerabilities of a father trying to connect with a daughter he left behind. Jacob’s emotional detachment and selfish tendencies emerge alongside moments of genuine care, creating a complex figure who guides Alma through both her powers and family history. This tension enriches the narrative and deepens the impact of their relationship.
As Alma embraces her new reality, she grapples with following Jacob into a world that is removed from ordinary life, making Odenkirk’s ability to humanize this surreal experience a key strength of the series. Fans of Bob Odenkirk’s work—and those seeking high-quality drama infused with sci-fi elements—will find Undone a compelling watch, with performances by Salazar and Odenkirk complementing each other effectively.
Behind the Scenes and Broader Impact
Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy, known for their work on Bojack Horseman, Undone earned critical acclaim including a Writers Guild of America Award, underscoring its strong writing and narrative depth. Despite this, the series has not received widespread audience attention, perhaps due to its niche blend of genres and distinctive animation. Its approach to storytelling through time travel shares thematic similarities with shows like Russian Doll, but Undone stands apart through its visual innovation and emotional storytelling.
Given Bob Odenkirk’s rising profile with projects such as Nobody 2, Undone is an excellent opportunity for viewers to experience another facet of his artistic range. As the series continues to be discovered, it could inspire more interest in unconventional sci-fi narratives that center on personal and family struggles within extraordinary circumstances.
