Review: Nine Perfect Strangers Leaves Much To Be Desired

Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers once again reunites Nicole Kidman and Big Little Lies’ creator and writer, David E. Kelley to tell the story of this tranquil California wellness center that is harboring a dark secret. The premiere opens with the introduction of these nine strangers, who have all been accepted to the world-renowned, highly selective wellness spa, Tranquillum House. All nine visitors, who each have their own unique set of issues, have heard amazing things about this center and its spiritual head, Masha (Nicole Kidman). They are looking to her to rid them of their demons and help them live better lives. What they didn’t sign up for is tricks, deceits, and lies that might not leave them feeling any better after they leave.

For those who have never read the book, this television adaptation does little to captivate the viewer. The performances get lost in translation as at times the story is just plain boring. The characters are fairly unlikeable, which is the point, but no one really connects you to them to want them to be better or want better for them. Nicole Kidman’s accent is so far out there that it distracts from the story, while you do get used to it as the episodes progress, it never feels authentic.

With an all-star cast that includes Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, and Michael Shannon, to name a few, the performances are solid enough. The problem is not with the acting, but with the story. For how talented this cast is, they could’ve handled a stronger storyline which the book does not offer. The edge of your seat moments that fans loved from Big Little Lies are not found in this adaptation.

The story has its moments of being intriguing, but there isn’t enough meat to keep audiences tuning in every week. It would have been wise to release the series in one fell swoop instead of releasing one episode at a time. Here’s hoping those who loved the book will stick around long enough to see how it ends.