Sun Feb 02 03:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Hulu’s “Paradise” Offers Thrilling, if Absurd, Political Thriller
**New York, NY** – Hulu’s new series, “Paradise,” starring Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden, is a wildly entertaining, albeit occasionally incoherent, political thriller. The show, from “This Is Us” creator Dan Fogelman, blends multiple timelines and genres into a potent cocktail that keeps viewers hooked despite its inherent inconsistencies.
The series follows President Cal Bradford (Marsden) and his fiercely loyal Secret Service agent, Xavier Collins (Brown), across two timelines: the present, where they reside in the seemingly idyllic, but ultimately sinister, gated community of Paradise; and five years prior, as Bradford reluctantly begins his second term.
A shocking murder throws the present timeline into chaos, forcing Collins to unravel a conspiracy far deeper than he could have imagined. The twist? Paradise isn’t what it seems – it’s a massive underground bunker housing 25,000 survivors of an unspecified cataclysm, ruled by the enigmatic billionaire Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson).
While the show’s premise veers into the absurd, the strong performances from Brown and Marsden anchor the narrative. Their compelling chemistry and nuanced portrayals elevate the often-goofy plot, making the show’s inherent flaws more easily digestible.
The series’ eight-episode run (seven currently available for review) promises a wild ride, with a central mystery that intertwines political intrigue, personal drama, and a shocking reveal that echoes the surprising family dynamics of Fogelman’s previous hit, “This Is Us.” Whether “Paradise” ultimately lands smoothly or crashes and burns remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it’s a show that demands attention.
First Piper 