Nicole Kidman’s ‘Expats’: A Luxurious Yet Familiar Story

Never did I imagine witnessing Nicole Kidman, once known as one of the most captivating actors of her generation, morph into a figure of tedium before my very eyes. Yet, here we stand, pondering her latest venture, ‘Expats,’ a tale woven into the fabric of prestige television dramas, where Kidman drifts through scenes as an ethereal, affluent woman haunted by concealed sorrows, impervious to the solace offered by opulent surroundings and picturesque vistas.

From reigning as the queen bee of affluence in Monterey society, marred by domestic turmoil in ‘Big Little Lies,’ to portraying a grief-stricken therapist seeking solace amidst luxury in ‘Nine Perfect Strangers,’ and lately as a Manhattan psychologist grappling with suspicions of spousal foul play in ‘The Undoing,’ Kidman’s recent roles seem to pale against the backdrop of her earlier brilliance, akin to a fading echo of her once resplendent talent.

In ‘Expats,’ helmed by director Lulu Wang, Kidman embodies Margaret Woo, a landscape architect who forsakes her career to accompany her husband, Clarke, to Hong Kong’s elite enclave, residing in the prestigious apartment block known simply as ‘The Peak.’ However, amidst the lavish lifestyles and societal veneer, tragedy looms, fracturing Margaret’s world irrevocably.

The narrative unfolds across two timelines, charting Margaret’s life before and after the sorrow that shadows her existence. Familiar tropes of loss and despair permeate the storyline, with the fate of Margaret’s son serving as the fulcrum around which the plot pivots.

Across six episodes, ‘Expats’ brings interconnected lives, entwining Margaret’s narrative with those of her neighbours and acquaintances, delving into themes of grief, guilt, social stratification, and cultural displacement. Yet, amidst the grandeur and thematic complexity, the series struggles to carve a distinct identity, meandering through familiar territories of prestige drama with scant innovation.

However, amidst the series’ languid progression, a glimmer of brilliance emerges in its fifth episode – a cinematic gem that eschews the central characters in favour of peripheral figures, providing a poignant portrayal of domestic staff navigating the complexities of expatriate life. Here, the series transcends its formulaic trappings, offering a compelling exploration of identity and belonging against the backdrop of societal unrest.

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Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s “umbrella movement” in 2014, ‘Expats’ briefly delves into the political upheaval gripping the city, albeit tangentially, offering fleeting glimpses into the lives of impassioned protesters and their families. Yet, this narrative thread feels disjointed, a detour from the central storyline rather than an integral component of the overarching narrative tapestry.