The Hitman's Confession

Written by Alec Berg and Bill Hader for the contemporary comedy-drama series Barry, this monologue captures an unconventional existential crisis. Barry speaks openly to an acting teacher, laying bare his violent background as a military veteran turned contract killer. Seeking a new sense of purpose, he articulates the emptiness of his profession and confronts his disturbing lack of emotional remorse.

Barry is a complex blend of an ordinary loner and a lethal anti-hero. Carrying the heavy discipline of his past military service, he functions with efficient detachment but is quietly unraveling beneath the surface. His vulnerability emerges not from dramatic self-pity, but from genuine bafflement at his own emotional numbness. He is a man who drifted into contract killing simply because he was skilled at it, yet he now yearns for a path out of the violence.

Clocking in at approximately one and a half minutes, this piece delivers immediate dramatic impact with an unusual edge of dark humor. It allows casting directors to see an actor handle high-stakes material with restraint, avoiding the melodrama often associated with criminal confessions. The monologue demands an unsettling authenticity that challenges an actor to remain grounded, making it an exceptional display of subtext and emotional nuance.

This monologue is an ideal fit for male actors playing in the 35 to 45 age range who lean into anti-hero, military, loner, or intense casting types. Because of its quiet tension and direct address, it functions brilliantly for self-tapes, agent showcases, drama school auditions, and general practice. Actors who excel at portraying understated conflict while maintaining an approachable everyman quality will find this material especially rewarding.

Resist the urge to play the confession with heavy theatrical villainy or brooding guilt. Barry’s psychological disconnect is the core of the piece, so deliver the revelation with a matter-of-fact honesty that lets the disturbing reality speak for itself. Keep your focus directed on your listener as you actively search for an answer to your inner numbness. Trust stillness in your body, allowing the simplicity of your voice to highlight the underlying tragedy of a man lost between violence and the desire for reinvention.