The Slapstick Criminality of Hulu's "Deli Boys"
Briefly

Deli Boys, a new Hulu comedy by Abdullah Saeed, subverts organized crime narratives through humor. The show follows brothers Mir and Raj, who inherit their father's convenience-store chain, only to uncover that it's a front for drug distribution. This series fuses familial struggles with a comedic portrayal of crime, drawing comparisons to Coen brothers' films. It portrays not just the chaotic ups and downs of running a business but also reflects on the immigrant experience, success, and generational struggles within ethnic communities, presenting organized crime in a fresh, humorous light.
Deli Boys cleverly blends slapstick comedy with themes of organized crime, focusing on two hapless brothers who inherit a convenience-store empire only to lose it, leading to unexpected revelations.
The show uses a comedic lens to reflect on the mythologized nature of organized crime, emphasizing the empathetic struggles of the characters while blending traditional Mafia tropes with humor.
Read at The Nation
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