Created by Lulu Wang, the 2024 series “Expats” is an adaptation of Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel, “The Expatriates.” The series delves into the lives of three American women residing in Hong Kong, each grappling with their distinct and profound existential crises.
Titled “Mid-Levels,” the third episode of “Expats” kicks off with an ironic scene. Mercy takes a smoke break at work while just a few meters away, two women engage in conversation on a bench. One of them clutches a child safety leash, preventing her little boy from reaching a ball just out of reach. This opening encapsulates Mercy’s struggle, still grappling with the incident of losing a child in a crowded market. Her affair with the married David Starr serves as a distraction, their shared trauma acting as the adhesive in their dalliance.
Read: Expats Episodes 1-2 Review
Meanwhile, David’s wife, Hilary, strives to maintain the facade of a perfect life within her affluent social circle. Even though Hilary hopes to save her marriage, the presence of Margaret, who lives just a few doors away and persistently knocks on her door, doesn’t help things. Margaret’s relentless search for clues to find her son Gus leads her to suspect someone new, blurring the line between a plausible suspicion and a mother’s desperate whim.
Nicole Kidman flawlessly embodies Margaret’s mania over her youngest son’s disappearance, almost as if the role was tailor-made for her. Her ability to portray the neurotic nuances of characters shines through effortlessly. While David’s grievances with Margaret were only hinted at in the previous episodes, this instalment clarifies why their friendship is irreparably strained. Despite his infidelity, Jack Huston injects a certain vulnerability into Daniel’s character, evoking pity rather than disdain.
As a constant reminder of the affluent background of two main characters, the episodes adeptly intertwine the minor roles played by their house-helps and drivers in their lives. Ji-young Yoo, portraying Mercy, stands out as the only character not sharing the same economic background as Margaret and Hilary. The episode introduces a new character, a Chinese girl befriended by Mercy, but it’s quite uncertain where this intriguing development is headed towards.
Although “Expats” unfolds at a leisurely pace, with creators meticulously setting up scenes and lingering on mundane details, this deliberate approach transforms Hong Kong into an essential character in the narrative. The cinematography captures the city’s essence, from bustling markets to convenience stores, cheap roadside eateries to upscale hotels, creating a kaleidoscopic blend of divergent scenes. The dynamic color palette enhances the visual experience, shifting seamlessly from the orange-tinted apartment of Mercy to beautiful flashback moments in Thailand dominated by soothing blues.
While some viewers may find the unhurried pace testing their patience, it aligns well with the grief-based narrative. “Expats” is not a thriller, devoid of explosive twists and shocking revelations—at least, not yet. If it remains a straightforward exploration of how tragedy reshapes the lives of three women, the episodes are well-timed.
You can stream “Expats” on Prime Video.
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