‘The White Lotus’ Review: This Social Satire Is Colored with 50 Shades of Grey

The White Lotus is a social satire that premiered on July 11, 2021, and so far, two episodes have been released. The trailer was quite intriguing to me, and two aspects really stood out.

First was the contrast between the picturesque Hawaiian background set against these characters who are quite normal on the outside, but there’s a lot to them than meets the eye. The second was the background score. It had a playful coastal vibe that added to the vibrance with undertones of suspense and drama that indicated something bad was waiting to happen.

With such an exciting trailer, I couldn’t wait for the show. So, when the first two episodes came out, I immediately watched them.

I know what you all are wondering? Is the show as good as the trailer? Is it worth watching? Well, the answers you seek have found you. Scroll, and you shall know!

Quick Review

The White Lotus is an engaging satirical drama of lies, hypocrisy, and toxicity that surfaces when emotions are buried and hard truths are left unsaid. It will hook you almost instantly and reel you into its world, colored with 50 shades of grey.

Is It Worth Watching

Absolutely! The series is a good watch for anyone looking for a gripping plot that’s intense but not too dark.

It’s not just a story about elite people going on a vacation but brings to light the grey side to their behavior, demeanor, and how that has its consequences. The show takes a dig at their mannerisms while also bringing forward the disturbing reality that they themselves, at times, fail to see.

Plot

The show begins with a death at The White Lotus resort. Though the details of who and how are not revealed, it is a not-so-subtle hint of what I was getting into. Cut to a week earlier where a honeymoon couple, a family, and a middle-aged woman are all on their way to The White Lotus.

The White Lotus | Official Trailer | HBO

We are introduced to these characters through conversations between them. Each of them has their quirks and idiosyncrasies. But there’s more to them than meets the eye. They are each going through something that they try to hide, but it somehow manifests in the way they behave.

Besides the guests, two resort staff members are also weaved into this narrative – a masseuse and the resort manager.

How all these characters interact with each other and what leads to a murder in the resort is the story.

Cast And Characters

Alright, so the list of characters and cast members is long, and each of them is pretty important to the storyline. Until now, no character feels unnecessary or out of place.

In fact, the show is driven by their interactions. These interactions are edgy and almost hint that shit might just go down any minute, but it doesn’t, and that’s what keeps us all hooked. It’s like you put all these people in one single place, and it’s a time bomb that will inevitably explode. The only question is when and who’d be hurt by it the most.

Some of the famous faces from the cast are Alexandra Daddario, Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Coolidge, Steve Zahn, and Fred Hechinger.

Final Thoughts And Grade

The White Lotus is a niche of its own. It’s good storytelling that keeps you invested in the characters while you’re watching it. The subtle nuances of how each character’s emotional baggage manifests in them saying and doing certain things are very well portrayed.

You might root for certain characters, but also know there are a few disagreeable qualities they possess. And that’s what makes the show interesting to watch because nobody in the show is perfect.

However, it’s not one of those shows that you’ll think about long after you’ve watched it, which is okay because it still delivers a good experience.

In fact, I would’ve loved to binge this show on a weekend night. Considering it’s merely 6 episodes long, I’d have started and finished it in the same night and enjoyed the complete story. But, unfortunately, that’s not the case, and we all have to wait for the next episode.

So until then, check out the first two episodes if you haven’t. I bet you’ll want to know what’s going to happen next!

About The White Lotus

The White Lotus is an American satire comedy television miniseries created, written, and directed by Mike White that premiered on HBO on July 11, 2021. Season 1 was set in Hawaii, and season 2 in Sicily.

The White Lotus follows the vacations of various hotel guests over a week as they relax and rejuvenate in paradise. But with each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travelers, the hotel’s cheerful employees, and the idyllic locale itself.

Jennifer Coolidge and John Gries star in both seasons with a rotating cast in the two seasons. The series was renewed for a third season.