Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers is a Crowded, Tedious Retreat | TV/Streaming


In the first six episodes provided to press, “Nine Perfect Strangers” gets an initially curious air about its character dynamics, of seeing who opens up with who when the group is originally deemed “a powder keg.” But the series has a dangerously low amount of stakes, as it slogs between so many different storylines that just hold the series’ curious evolution back. Sometimes it will jump to the perspective of Masha and her assistants, to show how things work behind the scenes with careful dosages, or security camera footage. But no greater intrigue or mystery arises; nothing in the narrative matches the ominous intoxication of recurring shots of smoothies being curated and mixed in extra slow motion. 

The story is tediously more driven by star power than it is narrative, and while that set-up has some hold, it doesn’t make large chunks particularly memorable, or tense. Especially in the first three episodes, you’re always waiting for the shoe to drop, for the wellness company to, of course, reveal its con, or for someone to get murdered. None of that happens exactly, because “Nine Perfect Strangers” is often as straightforward as hopping between nine-plus therapy-like experiences, whether sessions are successful or not. Themes about loss, suicide, and trauma are handled broadly, but the emotional impact is not there however impressive the tearful monologues are, or extended some conversations may be. Even when some more scandalous elements are brought into the fold and normalized, it’s not as compelling or rich as a production with this cast could be. 

Their characters are of course flawed but don’t seem all that nuanced beyond a secret that eventually comes out—one guy is revealed to have been a lottery winner, who was then burdened with a mentality of nothingness after achieving such financial security. But the story leaves him behind to focus on a million other problems, because that’s what “Nine Perfect Strangers” can only really do—juggle these plot lines that don’t challenge the viewer so much as very, very slowly reveal themselves in a gorgeous, sunny setting. You don’t necessarily grow attached to these characters, or deeply care about their wellbeing, so much as you simply get used to them. 

Six episodes screened for review. The first three episodes of “Nine Perfect Strangers” premieres today on Hulu, with a new episode every week.

You can view the original article HERE.

Tori Spelling Talks About Mom Guilt, ‘Their Lives Are Not Stable’
Tori Spelling Talks About Mom Guilt, ‘Their Lives Are Not Stable’
Amber Heard Strolls In Madrid with Daughter Oonagh After Baby No. 2 News
Amber Heard Strolls In Madrid with Daughter Oonagh After Baby No. 2 News
Viral TikTok star Jools Lebron’s ‘very demure, very mindful’ catchphrase catapulted her to fame. Now she’s ready to chase a new dream.
Viral TikTok star Jools Lebron’s ‘very demure, very mindful’ catchphrase catapulted her to fame. Now she’s ready to chase a new dream.
Chuck Norris’ Mom Dead at 103
Chuck Norris’ Mom Dead at 103
Hulu Stumbles with Warmed-Over Espionage Actioner “Paris Has Fallen” | TV/Streaming
Hulu Stumbles with Warmed-Over Espionage Actioner “Paris Has Fallen” | TV/Streaming
Pennywise Actor Talks Getting the Clown Suit Back on for ‘Welcome to Derry’
Pennywise Actor Talks Getting the Clown Suit Back on for ‘Welcome to Derry’
7 Tom Cruise Movies That Broke World Records
7 Tom Cruise Movies That Broke World Records
We Need Art More Than Ever: Jude Law, Jurnee Smollett on “The Order” | Interviews
We Need Art More Than Ever: Jude Law, Jurnee Smollett on “The Order” | Interviews
PS Plus January 2025 games
PS Plus January 2025 games
‘Gavin And Stacey’ star teases “very touching” final scene
‘Gavin And Stacey’ star teases “very touching” final scene
Watch King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard perform ‘Flight b741!’ with kids band
Watch King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard perform ‘Flight b741!’ with kids band
what happened to Jinx and Jayce?
what happened to Jinx and Jayce?
Report: Soto bidding expected to reach 0M Ben Wrixon
Report: Soto bidding expected to reach $700M Ben Wrixon
Celtics’ Brown fined K for throat-slash gesture vs. Pistons
Celtics’ Brown fined $25K for throat-slash gesture vs. Pistons
Prosecutors File To Drop Hercy Miller Refrigerator Theft Case
Prosecutors File To Drop Hercy Miller Refrigerator Theft Case
Report: NBA returning to China with pair of 2025 preseason games
Report: NBA returning to China with pair of 2025 preseason games
This Star Wars Villain Should Appear in ‘The Mandalorian’
This Star Wars Villain Should Appear in ‘The Mandalorian’
Days of Our Lives Spoilers For The Week of 12-09-24 Promise A Return To Normal (For Salem) And It’s Such A Letdown
Days of Our Lives Spoilers For The Week of 12-09-24 Promise A Return To Normal (For Salem) And It’s Such A Letdown
Skeleton Crew’ Added One Great Character to the Franchise
Skeleton Crew’ Added One Great Character to the Franchise
‘Bullet Proof’ Action Flick With 33% RT Score Is Now One of the Most-Streamed Movies
‘Bullet Proof’ Action Flick With 33% RT Score Is Now One of the Most-Streamed Movies
Brunello Cucinelli’s Chic Dinner & More Top Parties!
Brunello Cucinelli’s Chic Dinner & More Top Parties!
SKIMS x The North Face, Jimmy Choo’s New Digs!
SKIMS x The North Face, Jimmy Choo’s New Digs!
3.1 Phillip Lim ID Shoulder Bag
3.1 Phillip Lim ID Shoulder Bag
Rihanna’s Savage Holiday, Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie’s EIC Era!
Rihanna’s Savage Holiday, Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie’s EIC Era!