When you hear the words “wellness retreat,” you don’t usually expect psychedelic drugs, deep-seated trauma, and a slightly unhinged Nicole Kidman looming over a group of emotionally unstable guests. But Nine Perfect Strangers, the 8-part Hulu/Amazon Prime miniseries based on Liane Moriarty’s novel, is anything but your typical self-care getaway.
Set in the serene yet surreal landscape of Tranquillum House, Nine Perfect Strangers is led by the enigmatic and otherworldly Masha, played by Nicole Kidman, who brings a certain haunting magnetism to the role. From the moment she appears on screen — pale, poised, and accented with a mystic calm — you’re not quite sure if she’s a spiritual savior or a cult leader in disguise. That very ambiguity is what the show leans into, sometimes effectively and other times indulgently.
The show revolves around nine guests, each of whom has come to Tranquillum to escape, heal, or simply survive their own personal tragedies. Whether it’s the couple grieving the death of their child, a woman battling a toxic divorce, a washed-up author wrestling with self-worth, or a man struggling with identity and abandonment — the characters carry enough emotional baggage to fill an airport carousel. Their traumas are revealed slowly, often through fever dream-like sequences, awkward ice-breaking therapy sessions, and surreal breakthroughs under the influence of Masha’s unorthodox wellness methods.
And unorthodox is putting it mildly.
As the series progresses, we learn that Masha is microdosing the guests with psychedelics without their prior consent — a morally grey area that the show doesn’t quite tackle with the seriousness it deserves. Her argument? That they’ll only break through their psychological walls with a bit of chemical assistance. Whether you buy that or not depends entirely on your tolerance for unconventional healing — or, frankly, your suspension of disbelief. For most of the show, you’re not sure if she’s a brilliant innovator or one step away from a mental breakdown. Spoiler: it’s a bit of both.
The narrative is laced with conflict — not just among the guests, who often clash due to their polar opposite personalities, but also within Masha’s inner circle. Her team of wellness “keepers” start to question her increasingly erratic decisions, and those moments of internal rebellion offer some much-needed tension. However, these conflicts often simmer rather than boil, never fully breaking open into the kind of dramatic fireworks the premise promises.
The show does attempt to delve into Masha’s own backstory, peeling back layers of a life that’s been shaped by trauma, death, and perhaps guilt. These revelations come through dream sequences and eerie flashbacks that lend a ghostly air to the already fragile facade of Tranquillum House. But again, the pacing is languid. At times, maddeningly so.
This is not a fast-moving thriller. It’s more of a mood piece — heavy on atmosphere, light on plot propulsion. It’s less about “what happens next” and more about “what does it mean.” And while that may work for a contemplative Sunday afternoon, viewers expecting twists or tight scripting may find themselves checking their watches.
The acting, however, is commendable. Kidman anchors the show with a strangely ethereal performance — equal parts serene guru and slightly delusional puppet master. Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, and Bobby Cannavale bring depth and sincerity to their roles, elevating what could easily have become caricatures. The ensemble cast is the series’ true strength, with each character slowly revealing more layers as the episodes unfold.
Despite its lofty ambitions, the show ultimately plays it safe. By the final episode, things tie up a little too neatly, and the risky premise doesn’t quite pay off in a satisfying way. Everyone appears to have found peace, forgiveness, or closure, but it all feels slightly rushed — or worse, unearned. You’re left wondering whether this was a spiritual awakening or just a glorified holiday gone off the rails.
To be honest, I mostly stuck around for Nicole Kidman. Without her, and perhaps the glossy production values and calming soundtrack, Nine Perfect Strangers might have fallen flat. It aims to explore grief, healing, and the blurred lines of morality in the wellness industry, but often ends up just tiptoeing around them.
Verdict: Nine Perfect Strangers is a visually beautiful, occasionally profound, but often frustratingly slow drama that tries to do too much and yet not enough. It raises interesting questions but doesn’t always give us the answers. If you’re in it for vibes and Nicole Kidman being both hypnotic and possibly unhinged, you’ll get what you came for. Otherwise, you might find yourself wishing Tranquillum House had a fast-forward button.
My Rating : 2.5 out of 5
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