The Perverse Pleasures of "The White Lotus"

The Perverse Pleasures of "The White Lotus"

Is "The White Lotus" just for cringe and shock value, or does it have something interesting to say about sadism, narcissism, and family enmeshment?

Gilded pleasures: ‘The Leopard’ and ‘The White Lotus’

You might feel that our current political moment has gifted quite enough real-life drama in the way of unfettered wealth, inherited privilege and the abuses of power – if so, you may want look away from the television now. For those who like their cultural excursions to be a complete respite from life, the twin pack of The Leopard (Netflix) and season three of The White Lotus (Binge) may feel squeamishly on the nose.

The penultimate episode of the current season of "The White Lotus" opens the final battlegrounds. Not all weapons are drawn yet.

Never was decay more beautiful and the handling of transience more comforting: The classic "The Leopard" was re-filmed for streaming service – more modern than in 1963 by Visconti. But also better?