You know that feeling when a character walks on screen and you immediately think, Oh, things are about to get weird? That is the Brett Gelman effect. Honestly, if you’ve watched any "prestige" TV or a Netflix blockbuster in the last five years, you’ve seen him. He’s the guy with the chaotic energy, the incredible beard, and a voice that sounds like it’s vibrating at a frequency only conspiracy theorists and disgruntled accountants can hear.
But here is the thing about brett gelman movies and shows—they aren't just background noise. Whether he’s playing a paranoid journalist in Stranger Things or the absolute worst brother-in-law in history in Fleabag, Gelman has this uncanny ability to make "unlikable" people feel deeply, painfully human. People usually call him a comedian, and yeah, he’s hilarious. But if you look closer at his recent work, like his turn in the 2024 Apple TV+ series Lady in the Lake, you realize he’s actually one of the most versatile dramatic actors working today.
Why We Can't Get Enough of Murray Bauman in Stranger Things
Most people probably know him best as Murray Bauman. When he first showed up in Season 2 of Stranger Things, he seemed like a one-off gag. Just a guy in a basement drinking vodka and ranting about Russians. But by the time Season 4 and the final Season 5 (which just hit Netflix in late 2025) rolled around, Murray became the soul of the show.
It’s a weird arc, right? He went from a side character to the guy literally flying to Russia to save Jim Hopper. Gelman told Numéro Netherlands back in late 2025 that the Duffer Brothers gave him a massive gift by letting Murray grow. He wasn't just a "conspiracy nut" anymore; he was a guy who finally found a family. Watching him do karate or argue with Joyce Byers is great, but the real magic is how Gelman shows Murray’s fear. Underneath the bravado and the "I told you so" attitude, there’s a guy who is terrified of being alone.
The Cringe King: Fleabag and the Art of Being Awful
If Stranger Things made him a household name, Fleabag made him a legend in the "I hate that guy but I can't stop watching him" hall of fame. He played Martin. If you haven't seen it, Martin is... a lot. He’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s brother-in-law, and he is essentially a walking, talking mid-life crisis wrapped in a suit of pure toxicity.
Gelman has this theory about Martin. In an old interview with The AV Club, he mentioned that Martin and Fleabag are actually mirrors of each other. They’re both the most honest people in the room, but they use that honesty like a jagged knife to make everyone else uncomfortable. It’s a brave performance because he doesn’t try to make you like him. He’s not looking for your sympathy when he’s being a jerk to Claire. He’s just being a person who is spinning out of control. That dinner party scene in the Season 2 premiere? It’s a masterclass in tension.
A Quick Look at the Essentials
- Stranger Things (2017-2025): Murray Bauman. The vodka-loving hero we didn't know we needed.
- Fleabag (2016-2019): Martin. The guy you love to hate.
- Lady in the Lake (2024): Milton. A darker, more grounded turn for him alongside Natalie Portman.
- Entitled (2025): Gabe. This "lost" comedy finally hit Netflix in July 2025, and it’s basically Gelman dealing with a gothic English family. It's weird. It's great.
- Lemon (2017): He actually co-wrote this. It's a very dry, very indie look at a guy whose life is falling apart.
Beyond the Big Hits: The Weird World of Adult Swim and Indies
Long before he was fighting Demogorgons, Gelman was a staple of the "Alt-Comedy" scene. If you haven't seen his Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends specials on Adult Swim, go find them. Now. They are surreal, dark, and often feel like a fever dream. He basically plays a version of himself that is a narcissistic nightmare.
He’s also popped up in things you probably forgot he was in. Remember the magician in The Office? Or the "Pig Parker" in Curb Your Enthusiasm? He’s been everywhere. He even voiced Magic Myc in the animated series Inside Job, which was a perfect use of his "arrogant but somehow charming" vocal range.
Then there’s Lemon. This is probably the most "Brett Gelman" project in existence. He co-wrote it with director Janicza Bravo. It's not a "fun" movie. It’s a movie about failure. It’s about a guy named Isaac who is losing his girlfriend, his career, and his sanity. It's uncomfortable to watch, which is exactly why it’s good. Most actors want to look cool. Gelman is totally fine with looking pathetic if it means the character is real.
Is He an Action Star Now?
Believe it or not, Gelman has been leaning into action lately. After the physical demands of Stranger Things (all that running and fake-fighting in the snow), he’s appeared in movies like Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan and the ultra-violent Boy Kills World (2024).
It's a funny transition. You don't usually see the "funny guy from the UCB theater" turning into a guy who can hold his own in a tactical thriller. But it works because he brings a certain level of intelligence to those roles. He doesn't just play "Soldier #2." He plays a guy who looks like he’s thinking three steps ahead of everyone else.
What’s Next for Brett Gelman?
As of 2026, the dust is still settling on the end of Stranger Things. It was a decade of his life, and replacing a character as iconic as Murray isn't easy. But he’s not slowing down.
His latest project Entitled is finally getting the love it deserves after a rocky release schedule. In it, he plays Gabe, an American widower who inherits a British estate. It’s a bit of a return to his "stranger in a strange land" roots. Plus, there’s always his writing. He released a book of short stories called The Terrifying Realm of the Possible not too long ago, which is just as bizarre and insightful as you'd expect.
If you’re looking to catch up on the best of his work, don't just stick to the Netflix homepage.
Here is what you should do next:
- Watch the "Dinner with Friends" trilogy. It’s the purest distillation of his comedic voice.
- Revisit Fleabag Season 2. Watch specifically for his facial expressions when he’s not talking. The man is a silent acting genius.
- Check out McVeigh (2024). It’s a much more serious, harrowing film that shows he’s ready for the "heavy" lead roles of the late 2020s.
Brett Gelman isn't just a character actor. He’s the guy who proves that being "weird" is actually the most sustainable path to a long-term career in Hollywood. He didn't try to fit the mold; he just waited for the world to realize the mold was boring.