In the world of television, where streaming platforms battle for the attention of viewers, Expats quietly emerges as a meditative and emotionally charged series, highlighting the complexities of expatriate life in Hong Kong. Helmed by director Lulu Wang of The Farewell fame, the six-part Amazon Prime Video series delves deep into themes of grief, privilege, cultural alienation, and interpersonal disconnection, all framed by the city’s dense, electric atmosphere.
The Setup: A Drama of Tragedy and Turmoil
At the heart of Expats lies the tragic story of Margaret (Nicole Kidman), a wealthy American expat whose life is irrevocably shattered when her son Gus goes missing in the bustling streets of Hong Kong. Joining her is Hilary (Sarayu Blue), her close friend struggling with her own fractured life, and Mercy (Ji-young Yoo), a young Korean-American dealing with guilt and shame, as she was in charge of Gus when he vanished. The narrative threads of these three women—each navigating their own grief, guilt, and personal struggles—are intertwined by the central tragedy of Gus’ disappearance.
This tragedy ripples across the story like a stone thrown into a still pond, creating circles of grief and tension that touch every corner of their lives. While the series is centered around Margaret’s loss, Expats slowly expands its focus to explore how trauma and privilege manifest differently across the expatriate and local communities in Hong Kong. It’s a deeply personal exploration that also gestures towards larger social issues, including the city’s political unrest in 2014.
An Ensemble Cast that Shines
Nicole Kidman, the marquee name on the project, gives a stirring performance as the grief-stricken mother. Kidman has made a career out of portraying emotionally complex women, and here she delivers again, portraying Margaret’s downward spiral into obsession with an air of icy detachment and deep vulnerability. As Margaret holds onto the hope that her son is alive, Kidman’s portrayal teeters on the edge of breakdown—her face a mask of restrained despair, her every move tinged with the ghost of what was lost.
Sarayu Blue, playing Hilary, offers an intriguing counterbalance to Margaret. Where Kidman’s Margaret is outwardly unraveling, Hilary’s internal struggle is quieter, revolving around her complicated relationship with her husband David (Jack Huston) and their struggle with infertility. Their marriage disintegrates against the backdrop of Margaret’s tragedy, with Hilary’s storyline providing some of the show’s most heartbreaking moments, including her complicated dynamic with her housekeeper, Puri, which speaks to the wider themes of class disparity and exploitation.
Meanwhile, Ji-young Yoo’s Mercy is the third pillar of the series, a character weighted down by guilt and confusion over her role in Gus’s disappearance. Her quiet anguish as she tries to move forward with her life while feeling haunted by the past is compelling, and it’s through Mercy that the show explores the deeper psychological complexities of expatriate life, examining how guilt and alienation go hand-in-hand for those far from home.
A Tale of Privilege and Alienation
At its core, Expats is not just about the lives of three women in crisis—it’s a study of privilege and the isolation that often comes with it. The show does not shy away from exposing the dichotomy between the wealthy expats and the local Hong Kong residents, most notably through the character of Puri (Amelyn Pardenilla), Hilary’s housekeeper. In one of the show’s strongest sequences, a day in the life of Puri and other Filipino domestic workers is shown, painting a stark contrast between the expats’ insulated lives and the real struggles of the people who serve them.
Hong Kong itself becomes a living, breathing character in the series, with the city’s neon-lit streets, crowded markets, and high-rise apartments serving as both a playground for the privileged and a site of political unrest. The 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, which are subtly referenced throughout the series, lend an air of urgency and unease to the proceedings, reminding viewers that beneath the surface of this expat utopia lies a city in turmoil.
Lulu Wang’s direction brings a poignant, cinematic quality to these explorations of privilege and class, with the series often stepping away from its central drama to observe the city’s marginalized inhabitants. This is best exemplified in the penultimate episode, a beautifully shot, standalone installment that captures the daily rhythms of Hong Kong’s streets and the quiet resilience of its workers. The episode masterfully shifts focus away from the central characters to offer a more holistic picture of life in the city, balancing personal trauma with broader social commentary.
A Slow Burn With Emotional Payoff
For all its rich thematic material, Expats is not without its flaws. The show’s pacing, particularly in its middle episodes, can feel slow and meandering. The first few episodes, while beautifully shot and acted, spend a lot of time setting up the characters and their respective arcs, which may leave some viewers impatient for the story to pick up speed. Additionally, the show’s focus on the emotional states of its characters often comes at the expense of narrative momentum, making some of the more introspective moments feel repetitive.
However, for those willing to invest in the show’s deliberate pacing, the emotional payoff is well worth it. The series builds towards a devastating conclusion that explores the complicated intersections of motherhood, guilt, and redemption. Wang’s deft handling of these themes ensures that the finale, though heartbreaking, feels earned and resonant.
Cinematic Excellence and Artistic Vision
Visually, Expats is stunning. The cinematography, with its lush, atmospheric shots of Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and quiet domestic spaces, reflects the show’s themes of dislocation and alienation. The city is depicted as a vibrant yet claustrophobic place—beautiful, but always slightly out of reach for its expatriate inhabitants. The score by Alex Weston further enhances the mood, adding a layer of melancholy and tension to the proceedings without ever overwhelming the delicate emotional beats of the story.
Wang’s meticulous direction is perhaps the show’s greatest strength. Known for her ability to extract nuanced performances from her actors and her keen observational eye, Wang brings a unique blend of intimacy and grandeur to Expats. She captures both the small, quiet moments of domestic life and the larger social forces at play, making the series not just a character study but also a meditation on the human condition within the confines of privilege and loss.
Conclusion: A Thoughtful and Affecting Drama
Expats is not your typical glossy drama about wealthy foreigners living in an exotic location. It’s a thoughtful, often devastating exploration of grief, privilege, and alienation, anchored by strong performances from its lead cast and a clear directorial vision. While its slow pace and heavy subject matter may not be for everyone, those who stick with it will find a series that rewards patience with a deeply moving portrayal of human resilience and the many ways we cope with loss.
In the ever-expanding landscape of streaming content, Expats stands out as a series with something to say. It’s not just a story about expatriates; it’s a story about what it means to live disconnected from the people and places around you—and ultimately, what it takes to find your way back.
