Nine Perfect Strangers – Limited Series [2021]

Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers presents eight imperfect episodes with a culminating disappointing finale.

Hulu’s original limited series is based on a book of the same name. Nine stressed city dwellers visit a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation. The resort’s director is Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman). She’s a woman on a mission of her own other than to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies.

However, no amount of talent could have saved Nine Perfect Strangers for me. Considering that it took me almost a year to watch the show, all i can say is that the main plot doesn’t rise to expectations. A meandering mystery may muddle its impact, but strong performances across the board from this eclectic ensemble mean that even at its lowest points, the show is never less than watchable. This show seems to revel in its clichés rather than deconstructing them, mostly, it settles for being bland and tasteful, mostly.

Kidman achieves a powerful performance that I enjoyed, but some of her scenes in the latter episodes just felt forced. There is too much time to fill, too many episodes to stretch a thin plot, and too many strangers to stay interested in any one of them.

Even when Melissa McCarthy forced her way into the spotlight, it wasn’t enough for me. However, I must admit that Regina Hall nailed Carmel in a scarry yet wonderful way.

Should you watch it?

It’s clearly cut from the same cloth as soapy Big Little Lies, but this drama about a super-secretive wellness resort suffers from a lackluster story, though the cast is choice, and game.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream Nine Perfect Strangers exclusively on Hulu in USA and on Prime Video in Canada.