Catch-22

On Pianosa, a sun baked island off Italy during World War II, bombardier John Yossarian fights to do his job and return home. But a maze of orders, bureaucratic bungles, and officious leaders keeps blocking his way. Missions seem to multiply as the war drags on and the toll in lives grows heavier. Yossarian clings to the belief that sanity and a brief rest at home are possible, even as the system treats soldiers like expendable cogs. The tone blends sharp wit with grim reality, turning the battlefield into a sprawling bureaucratic maze where simple goals become increasingly hard to reach.

Released in 2019 as a Hulu limited series, Catch-22 reimagines Joseph Heller's classic satire for a contemporary audience. It was developed by David Michod and Luke Davies from the famed source material, setting a brisk, cinematic tone and drawing a strong ensemble led by Christopher Abbott.

Critics welcomed the series for its fast pace, dark humor, and strong performances, while noting occasional tonal shifts between satire and tragedy. Its core themes include the absurdity of war and the perverse logic of bureaucratic power, which keep threatening the protagonist's sense of reality and stability.

This adaptation updates a beloved anti war novel for a streaming era, prompting discussion about the staying power of classic satire. It surfaces conversations about how television can reframe rugged wartime stories for modern audiences and spark reflection on authority, accountability, and the human cost behind the rhetoric of duty.