The White Lotus: Season 1

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 64 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 64 Ratings

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The White Lotus: Rachel Meets Olivia And Paula By The Pool

Now Playing: The White Lotus: Rachel Meets Olivia And Paula By The Pool

Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: July 11, 2021

Summary: The satirical anthology series created by Mike White gradually reveals the truth behind the seemingly perfect guests and staff at an exclusive Hawaiian resort over the course of a week.

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Empire Boyd Hilton

Sep 20, 2021

A mercilessly sharp satire of toxic wealth, entitlement and class exploitation with a truly radical, subversive tone that separates it from the crowd. Read full review

100

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Jul 9, 2021

The White Lotus isn’t insisting itself as a state of the nation satire but White’s deft and unforgiving writing manages what so many others have tried and failed to do in the last five years. He’s created a deeply funny and bracingly topical piece of art that prods and provokes without preaching. His show says more about class, sex and race because it’s not directly about those issues, remembering, vitally, that to send a message, one has to package it well. Read full review

Tom Long

Jul 8, 2021

“The White Lotus” sneaks essential questions in between the laughs. It is certainly among the year’s best TV offerings. Read full review

Darren Franich

Jul 7, 2021

In this self-dissection of wealthy Caucasian self-awareness, some subplots are just navel-gazing. ... Still, I got wrapped up in the dreamy dramedy. Looking's Bartlett stuns as a tightly wound perfectionist falling way off the wagon. Rothwell, hysterical on Insecure, goes 180 degrees as a wellness worker bee carrying the weight of moneyed sorrow. Coming off The Handmaid's Tale, Sharp Objects, and Euphoria, Sweeney confirms herself as the generational representative for soulful perversity. Read full review

Cassie da Costa

Jul 9, 2021

It’s a lot of people to keep track of, yet White’s writing and direction intertwine their stories in an ambitious, novelistic manner. There’s the morbid fun of trying to guess who dies and how, as well as the subtler work of understanding these characters, none of whose behaviors are easy to predict. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

Jul 13, 2021

If you can't find something in here to enjoy, you're just not trying very hard. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Jul 8, 2021

Granted, there are times when the bleak humor is smart, and this is a very well-acted show, but too many of the characters never rise above caricature. Read full review

SEE ALL 39 REVIEWS

User Score

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7.6

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User Reviews

podaddy

Sep 13, 2021

Sharply written, beautifully filmed, quality cast and a magnificent score. What's not to like? A lot could have gone wrong in presenting a bunch of wealthy vacationers looking out at the sheer beauty of their surroundings and finding nothing but misery, while hotel workers struggle toSharply written, beautifully filmed, quality cast and a magnificent score. What's not to like? A lot could have gone wrong in presenting a bunch of wealthy vacationers looking out at the sheer beauty of their surroundings and finding nothing but misery, while hotel workers struggle to contain their contempt, but everything, series wise, came up aces. Jennifer Coolidge is undeniable as a self-loathing wealthy woman and Jake Lacy is lights out as the douchey preppy bro honeymooner. The White Lotus is a pleasing, intelligent, and well-paced romp, one think is certain though, it won’t make anyone miss overseas travel.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

tvguy79

Jul 11, 2021

Exactly the show I needed right now - the show WE needed! Hard to think you could create this escapist TV with something that also feel culturally rich. HBO!

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

CelloAfoxx

Jul 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Mike white has outdone himself with the writing and direction of this show. Highly addictive and i was so disappointed to find it was a mini series. Unless they opt to make it an anthology and have new cast each season. The authenticity of each character shines bright.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All_ButTrU4

Nov 23, 2022

Hilarious, conscious and surprisingly dark this beautifully shot vaction drama takes a nihilistic look at caste systems asking and answering the question of can capitalist corruption be perturbed and saying no. With mentions of blm,white persecution complexes and disconnect the rich haveHilarious, conscious and surprisingly dark this beautifully shot vaction drama takes a nihilistic look at caste systems asking and answering the question of can capitalist corruption be perturbed and saying no. With mentions of blm,white persecution complexes and disconnect the rich have from reality it takes intresting paths to tell deeply moving stories with their sometimes hyperbolic characters. The murder mystery did seem to be on the back burner for most of the season but fortunately thats not to it's detriment as it actually allows for the characters lives to create all the tension we need. I really enjoyed Sydney Sweeney muted manipulative "performative social justice" mean girl is a scene stealer,going from cutthroat to caring to cunning in a seconds flash. Or Murray Barlets unhinged chaotic and high strung role as the hotel manager buckling under the weight of his of both his own & his clients expectations to a tragic though unacknowledged end. This shows message is delivered wonderfully and it was enjoyable throughout.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

UncleWillard

Jul 12, 2021

I was a fan of Enlightened and Mike White in general, and was not surprised that I took right to this. I'm looking forward to where this goes. Seems to be perfectly cast thus far.

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

MetacriticOnur

Jan 30, 2022

admirable
[ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

adjective
worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

erlik

Jul 21, 2021

One-note characters doing the same thing over and over. This seems to be intended as satire, but satire requires 1.) some measure of subtlety, 2.) a story that's interesting on its own merits, and 3.) at least some characters who are more than simply an embodiment of their satiricalOne-note characters doing the same thing over and over. This seems to be intended as satire, but satire requires 1.) some measure of subtlety, 2.) a story that's interesting on its own merits, and 3.) at least some characters who are more than simply an embodiment of their satirical underpinning. This fails on all three counts.

Maybe it gets better, but after the first episode I find myself shocked that this was even made. It's appallingly bland for HBO.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

SEE ALL 24 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

80

Series Overview
Season 3

77
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: February 16, 2025
Season 2

81
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: October 30, 2022
Season 1

82
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: July 11, 2021
- No episode information is currently available for this season