Let's be real for a second. The title is a jump scare. When I first saw How to Die Alone on Hulu, I thought it was going to be some bleak, A24-style meditation on loneliness that would leave me staring at my ceiling for three hours. I was wrong. It’s actually one of the funniest, most painfully relatable things on TV right now. Natasha Rothwell—who you definitely know as the iconic Kelli from Insecure—didn't just write this; she breathes life into Mel, a woman who is "stuck" in the most relatable way possible.
Mel works at JFK airport. She’s broke. She’s single. She’s basically a background character in her own life until a freak accident involving a suspiciously cheap piece of furniture changes everything. It’s not a "girl boss" awakening. It’s a "holy crap, I might actually die and no one will notice" awakening. And honestly? That hits different in 2026.
What How to Die Alone on Hulu Gets Right About Being "Mid"
Most shows about being single in your 30s or 40s are fake. They feature people living in $4,000-a-month apartments while working as "freelance poets." How to Die Alone on Hulu rejects that. Mel lives in a place that feels lived-in. She deals with the crushing weight of credit card debt and the awkwardness of seeing an ex move on with a "perfect" life.
Rothwell, who serves as the creator and showrunner, has talked extensively about how she wanted to explore the "unseen" person. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she noted that the show is about the courage it takes to be mediocre and still demand a seat at the table. It’s about the "invisible" workers. The people who scan your boarding pass and then disappear from your memory.
The pacing is frantic but deliberate. One minute you're laughing at a visual gag involving an airport shuttle, and the next, your heart is breaking because Mel realizes she hasn't been invited to a birthday party. It captures that weird, oscillating frequency of modern loneliness. It's not always crying into a pint of ice cream; sometimes it’s just the quiet realization that your emergency contact is still your mom.
The Supporting Cast is Doing Heavy Lifting
While Rothwell is the sun the show orbits around, the cast is stacked. Conrad Ricamora plays Rory, Mel's best friend, and their chemistry is the backbone of the series. It’s refreshing to see a platonic friendship that isn't sanitized. They fight. They enable each other’s worst impulses. They feel like real people you’d meet at a dive bar at 1 AM.
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Then there’s Jocko Sims as Alex. He’s the ex. We’ve all had an Alex. He represents the "what if" that haunts Mel, and the show handles their history with a surprising amount of nuance. It doesn't make him a villain. It just makes him... gone.
Why the "Near-Death Experience" Trope Actually Works Here
We’ve seen the "character almost dies and decides to live life to the fullest" plot a thousand times. Usually, it results in the character skydiving or moving to Italy. In How to Die Alone, Mel’s transformation is much smaller and more difficult. She decides to travel. Not to some exotic villa, but just... anywhere.
The show uses her job at the airport as a metaphor that isn't too on-the-nose. She watches people go places all day while she stays stationary. When she finally decides to use her employee flight benefits, it feels earned. It's a huge deal for her. It’s terrifying.
Breaking Down the Aesthetic
Visually, the show is vibrant. It doesn’t look like the "prestige TV" of five years ago that was so dark you couldn't see the actors' faces. The colors are saturated. The airport is bright and clinical, contrasting with the warm, cluttered chaos of Mel’s personal life. The cinematography reflects her internal state: when she feels trapped, the framing is tight. When she starts to breathe, the camera pulls back.
The soundtrack is also a character in itself. It’s soulful, eclectic, and perfectly timed. It doesn't tell you how to feel; it just sits in the room with you.
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The Cultural Impact of the "Single Black Woman" Narrative
There is a specific weight that How to Die Alone on Hulu carries. For a long time, Black women on screen were either the hyper-competent "Olivia Pope" types or the "sassy best friend." Mel is neither. She is messy. She is selfish at times. She is struggling.
Critics have pointed out that Rothwell is part of a new wave of creators—like Issa Rae and Quinta Brunson—who are allowed to let their characters be human. They don't have to be symbols of excellence. They can just be Mel. This shift is vital. It allows for a type of storytelling that feels authentic to the actual experience of navigating the world as a Black woman who doesn't have it all figured out.
The Humor is Sharp (and Sometimes Mean)
Don't expect a cozy sitcom. This show has teeth. The jokes about airline culture, JFK's crumbling infrastructure, and the indignities of the service industry are razor-sharp. Rothwell’s comedic timing is legendary for a reason. She can do more with a facial expression than most actors can do with a three-page monologue.
There’s a scene early on involving a vending machine that is a masterclass in physical comedy. It’s absurd, but it’s grounded in the reality of a "no-good, very-bad day."
Addressing the Critics: Is It Too Depressing?
Some early reviews complained that the show was "too sad." I disagree. I think we’ve just become used to comedies that are afraid of silence. How to Die Alone isn't afraid to let a moment sit. It trusts the audience to handle the discomfort of watching someone fail.
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If you’re looking for a show where everything is resolved in 22 minutes with a group hug, this isn't it. But if you want something that feels like a conversation with a friend who’s going through it, you’ll love it. It’s honest. It’s brutal. It’s weirdly hopeful in a way that doesn't feel like it's lying to you.
How to Die Alone Hulu: Final Verdict on Why You Should Watch
This show is a miracle of tone. It balances the high stakes of a mid-life crisis with the low-stakes absurdity of working at an airport. It reminds us that "dying alone" isn't the tragedy we think it is—the real tragedy is living a life where you never showed up for yourself.
Natasha Rothwell has created a world that feels lived-in and urgent. It’s a love letter to the people who are still figuring it out. The ones who haven't "arrived" yet. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and it’s easily one of the best shows on Hulu this year.
Actionable Next Steps for Viewers
If you're ready to dive into the world of Mel and JFK airport, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Watch in Batches: The episodes are roughly 30 minutes, but they pack an emotional punch. Watching two or three at a time allows the character arcs to breathe without becoming overwhelming.
- Pay Attention to the Background: The world-building in the airport is incredible. The signs, the intercom announcements, and the random travelers in the background add a layer of realism that rewards a second watch.
- Check Out Natasha Rothwell’s Writing History: To truly appreciate the voice of this show, look back at her work on Insecure and SNL. You can see the evolution of her comedic voice, which culminates perfectly in this series.
- Don't Skip the Credits: The music choices are phenomenal and often carry the theme of the episode right through to the end.
- Discuss the Themes: This is a "water cooler" show. Whether it's on Reddit or with friends, talking about Mel's choices—and where you see yourself in her—is part of the fun. It’s a show that invites introspection.
The series is currently streaming on Hulu, with new episodes typically dropping on a weekly schedule during its initial run. Whether you're single, married, or "it's complicated," there is a piece of Mel’s journey that will resonate. Stop scrolling through the menu and just hit play. You won't regret it.