The White Lotus

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 11, 2021
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 64
  3. Negative: 8 out of 64

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User Reviews

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  1. JeBjBo
    Feb 22, 2023
    8
    It's a pleasure to lurk behind the beautiful facade of the White Lotus Hotel in beautiful Hawaii.
  2. CelloAfoxx
    Jul 28, 2021
    10
    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
  3. TheWayfarer73
    Jul 14, 2021
    3
    I cringed a few times. The writing was full of stereotypical blathering, like a bad repeat of a composite of other media from this genre.

    The only saving grace was the look and feel, and the acting(aside from the words being spoken).
  4. tvguy79
    Jul 11, 2021
    10
    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!
  5. OlivierPiel
    Jul 13, 2021
    2
    As the Chicago Tribune reviewed, it's just caricature, that has been done more incisively, funnily but also with more humility before (Faulty Towers anyone?). Sadly it's very drawn out and flat, as a bad joke that is repeated again, again and again. That so many critiques find this entertaining show the level of smugness and self-righteousness in America.
  6. MetaLA
    Jul 11, 2021
    10
    MIKE WHITE! I really think he was on Survivor on the next island over and making this show, simultaneously. that's what I'm just going to believe. period.
  7. UncleWillard
    Jul 12, 2021
    7
    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.
  8. StreamerLA
    Jul 11, 2021
    10
    Jennifer Coolidge for the world to see! That score! The cinematography! Mike White - he's been pretty tremendous but this feels like another level. Loved.
  9. stepco
    Jul 12, 2021
    9
    I really enjoy Mike White’s writing. I was a big fan of Enlightenment. The first episode of The White Lotus
    Was funny and quirky with dark tones. I can’t wait for future episodes
  10. erlik
    Jul 21, 2021
    2
    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 satirical underpinning. This fails on all three counts.

    Maybe it gets better, but after the first episode I find    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 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
  11. Televisio
    Jul 11, 2021
    10
    I think we are getting to the point we can enjoy non-WOKE content again ! Thank you WHITE LOTUS
  12. podaddy
    Sep 13, 2021
    10
    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 to contain their contempt, but everything, series wise, came up aces. Jennifer Coolidge is undeniable as aSharply 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
  13. frozenpinky
    Oct 25, 2021
    8
    Intriguing. Entertaining. Unique. Funny. Dark. I had no idea about this until someone suggested it to me. Glad I have HBO Max. So much better than Nine Perfect Strangers over on Hulu.
  14. max1c
    Dec 12, 2022
    9
    Season 1 is brilliant. Season 2 is complete crapshoot. Worth watching season 1 only.
  15. night4
    Dec 1, 2022
    10
    It's close enough to a 10 to deserve a 10, which is very rare these days. Highly entertaining series full of satire and sex. If you can't understand the satire, you probably won't enjoy it as much.
  16. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 23, 2022
    8
    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 have from reality it takes intresting paths to tell deeply moving stories with their sometimes hyperbolicHilarious, 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
  17. Likovsky
    Sep 19, 2021
    8
    the great ironic story of human greed for possession.
    little bit slow but worth this time spending
  18. KeirAndo
    Jan 20, 2023
    3
    I didn't like this show at all.

    Except for maybe two characters I just despised all the people in the show. They were all hideous people that I just wanted to slap in the face and say "what is wrong with you? Why are you such a bad and conceited person?".

    Sorry but with characters this annoying it just isn't possible to watch the show with an open mind.
  19. geewah
    Feb 23, 2022
    9
    One of 2021's best shows.
    A brilliantly written, sharp satire set in an Hawaiian resort, where not everyone and everything is quite what it seems. Murray Bartlett is particular deserves some kudos as he shines as Armond, and the rest of the characters are superbly cast is this morbidly gripping tale.
  20. cjfoure
    Mar 16, 2023
    3
    "Universal Acclaim" I'm 5 episodes in and every character is insufferable and surface level depth with very little logic aside from what we are told.
    Is this what passes for good now? Production value of the show is great as is expected from HBO but the writing has started off at Westworld Season 2 level.
  21. MetacriticOnur
    Jan 30, 2022
    6
    admirable
    [ ad-mer-uh-buhl ]

    adjective
    worthy of admiration; inspiring approval, reverence, or affection.
  22. Exceladeogun
    Jan 15, 2023
    7
    The White Lotus (season 1)

    The first season of The White Lotus opens with a very character driven approach. Each character is fleshed out and developed at a steady pace; the characters are very diverse in their nature, and audiences should find at least one to latch onto. For the most part, the characters are not good or evil, heavily nuanced and gray is what most of them are. The cast    The White Lotus (season 1)

    The first season of The White Lotus opens with a very character driven approach. Each character is fleshed out and developed at a steady pace; the characters are very diverse in their nature, and audiences should find at least one to latch onto. For the most part, the characters are not good or evil, heavily nuanced and gray is what most of them are. The cast that portrayed these characters also deliver a splendid take, with great acting that finding a weak link would prove difficult.

    The plot of this is poised to build with mounting tension, and it's built steadily, but the letdown is the finale, it isn't worthy of the tenuous buildup that led to it. The first episode is gripping as it should leave audiences guessing as to how the story proceeds, and as the white Lotus slowly unfolds, it's quite disappointing how it wraps up. It's nice though that there are no loose ends, or at least any that'll leave a bad taste.

    The location, setting and cinematography is very pleasing, but much praise must be given to the score.

    The White Lotus is enjoyable, especially its characters, and that alone is enough to get audiences through.    … Expand
  23. kawhis
    Jan 16, 2023
    7
    Непогана сатира, яка доказує, що все ж таки можна стильно стібати сучасне суспільство.

    Лотос має досить дивний вайб, завдяки своїм персонажам, що й виділяє цей серіал серед великої кількості посередніх робіт.
  24. forgedsledge
    Feb 25, 2023
    8
    So. Much. Cringe. If you suffer from anxiety, I'd suggest steering clear of this show. But if you hate yourself and love watching trainwrecks (metaphorically speaking) then have I got the show for you. The "people fixing mistakes with more mistakes" style of comedy isn't for everyone, but if you like shows like Shameless, then this might be your cup of tea. In it's simplest terms, theSo. Much. Cringe. If you suffer from anxiety, I'd suggest steering clear of this show. But if you hate yourself and love watching trainwrecks (metaphorically speaking) then have I got the show for you. The "people fixing mistakes with more mistakes" style of comedy isn't for everyone, but if you like shows like Shameless, then this might be your cup of tea. In it's simplest terms, the series is about the titular hotel in Hawaii named, "The White Lotus," and the antics of the needy guests on vacation and the staff whose job it is to take care of them. The cast is phenomenal, each getting a chance to shine and the showrunners keep the pace frantic, creating a sense of tension and unease throughout. Great stuff.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best TV Season of 2021
24
#24 Most Discussed TV Season of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. i
    Reviewed by: Emily Baker
    Dec 3, 2021
    80
    The White Lotus isn’t quite a must-watch just yet, but if the hype from across the Atlantic is to be believed, the stage is set for one of the most intriguing series of the year.
    Read full review
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Boyd Hilton
    Sep 20, 2021
    100
    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
  3. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Aug 18, 2021
    100
    If you watched episode one of The White Lotus and thought, "Yes, quite good, but I'm not feeling the five-star ravings I've heard about it," then I say this: keep the faith and rest assured that it gets stonkingly good very soon. I have watched all six and, trust me, you're in for a treat.
    Read full review
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