The White Lotus returns for a third instalment in the HBO anthology series. This time around, the series visits Thailand to deconstruct the American social psyche. Religion, attachment, sexuality, gender roles, and consumerism are all central themes, along with the ubiquitous fear of old age and death.

 

Tanya, played by Jennifer Coolidge, anchored the resort dynamics in the first two seasons. As she succumbed to a tragic death in season two, her absence is palpable at the start of the new season, particularly with a first episode that plays a bit flat, but the lack of her presence is aptly set aside once the drama unfurls.

 

Jason Isaacs shines as Timothy Ratliff, the Wall Street baron under duress, while Patrick Schwarzenegger (yes, you know his dad) has a breakout moment as Saxon Ratliff, the young buck reared in fraternity halls looking to make his mark on the world. Parker Posey plays a strong supporting role as the depressed country club wife, and Michelle Monaghan leads a trio of girlfriends on an escape from everyday life.

Like a lotus in muddy water, Mike White gives his characters room to breathe, cleanse, blossom, and discover parts of themselves they never knew were there. White shines a mirror on hot-button topics while filling gaps between the crescendos with elegant and eviscerating details. The creator can dust his hands when the viewer squirms and cringes at the onscreen escapades.

 

With a third season, one might worry The White Lotus’ formula might grow stale, perhaps leaning too heavily into familiar devices to hook viewers in simply to see what happens next. And yet, White manages to pull a rabbit out of a hat and once again captures the viewer in the present for an unexpected quest of self-discovery.

 

Boluwatife Adesina
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Boluwatife Adesina is a media writer and the helmer of the Downtown Review page. He’s probably in a cinema near you.