Serie - Hulu’s Paradise: A Thrilling, Genre-Bending Mystery That Redefines Sci-Fi Drama

By Mulder, 28 january 2025

For decades, television has played with the boundaries between genres, mixing science fiction with thrillers, political intrigue with personal drama. But Hulu's newest series, Paradise, doesn't just blur the lines, it obliterates them. Created by This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, Paradise is a bold, high-concept series that begins as a political murder mystery before launching into a dystopian psychological thriller. The result? A series as ambitious as it is unpredictable, packed with intrigue, emotion and a central performance that makes Sterling K. Brown one of the most compelling actors on television today.

At first glance, Paradise looks like a high-end political thriller in the vein of House of Cards or The Diplomat. The story begins with the shocking murder of U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), discovered lifeless in his bedroom by his long-time Secret Service agent, Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown). What follows is a classic riddle: Who killed the president? And why? And could Xavier himself be a suspect? But Paradise isn't just about solving a political mystery. At the end of the first episode, the audience is struck by a revelation that shifts the whole story into uncharted territory: the outside world has disappeared. The picturesque American town where the series takes place is in fact an underground city built inside a huge mountain, housing 25,000 survivors after an extinction-level event wiped out the surface world. Bradford wasn't just a former president: he was the leader of humanity's last bastion, a leader presiding over a fragile new civilization. This twist forces viewers to reconsider everything they thought they knew. Paradise isn't just about solving a murder; it's about unlocking the secrets of a society founded on deception, power struggles and survivalism. And at the heart of it all is Xavier, a man caught between duty and truth, loyalty and justice.

The real magic of Paradise lies in its storytelling. Dan Fogelman, known for weaving complex narratives in This Is Us, applies his characteristic non-linear structure here too. Flashbacks reveal the complex relationships between Xavier and Bradford, between Xavier and his two children, and between Bradford and his billionaire confidante, Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), who holds the keys to Paradise's future. These flashbacks not only add layers to the mystery, they also offer deeply personal moments that humanize the characters beyond the dystopian backdrop. Samantha, nicknamed “Sinatra” by the Secret Service, is a formidable force in Paradise. A technology billionaire turned survivalist, she orchestrated the construction of the underground city long before the global catastrophe. But her motives remain obscure: does she really believe she's saved civilization, or does she simply think she's God? Nicholson's performance is chilling and nuanced, making her one of the series' most fascinating characters. As for President Bradford, played by James Marsden, he's a perfect blend of charm and tragic hubris. In flashbacks, he is portrayed as a charismatic leader with enormous responsibilities, but also as a man with deep personal flaws. His disappearance is not just a political crisis; it's the beginning of a power struggle that threatens to undermine everything that Paradise stands for.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Paradise is its setting. The underground city is an architectural marvel, designed to mimic the surface world with artificial skies, carefully regulated weather and even a functioning economy. But beneath this immaculate façade lies a disturbing reality: surveillance is omnipresent, social order is dictated by those in power and resources are tightly controlled. Everyone wears a bracelet that tracks their movements, serves as currency and dictates their access to information. Paradise may look like an oasis, but it's actually a gilded cage. The series draws on classic dystopian tales such as 1984, The Truman Show and Silo, and explores themes of control, sacrifice and the ethical dilemmas of survival. It raises troubling questions: If the world ended tomorrow, who would decide who should live? And at what cost?

If there's one thing that keeps Paradise grounded amid its ambitious premise, it's the performance of Sterling K. Brown's performance. Xavier Collins is a man burdened by duty, fatherhood and unresolved grief. A former Secret Service agent, he has spent years protecting a leader he no longer trusts, while raising two children in a world where the rules are rewritten daily. Brown gives Xavier a depth that goes beyond the archetypal reluctant hero. He's not just a protector; he's a man desperately trying to make sense of a broken world while clinging to his morality. Xavier's relationship with his late wife hovers over the series, adding an emotional undercurrent to the political intrigue. Why was she abandoned when Paradise was built? Did Bradford make this decision? And if so, how does it play into his murder? Brown's ability to convey layers of pain and resilience without a single word is what makes his character so fascinating.

Paradise is an exciting adventure, but it's not without its flaws. The murder investigation, which should be the driving force behind the series, sometimes takes a back seat to the world-building. While the dystopian elements are fascinating, they sometimes overshadow the urgency of solving Bradford's murder. In addition, the series relies a little too heavily on dramatic musical cues - slow, melancholy covers of classic rock songs are played at almost every emotional climax, a trope that seems increasingly forced. There are also moments when dialogue veers into exposition, with characters explaining concepts the audience would have already understood. And while the flashback structure is effective in deepening the characters, it can also slow the pace, making some episodes uneven. But these are minor flaws in an otherwise exciting series. Paradise is an ambitious, captivating series, unlike anything else on television today. It takes big risks, and even if not all of them pay off, those that do make this series an unforgettable experience.

In a TV landscape filled with reboots and sure-fire favourites, Paradise stands out for its originality. It's a genre-defying series that manages to be part murder mystery, part dystopian thriller and part intimate drama. With excellent performances - especially from Brown and Nicholson - and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Paradise is a series that demands your attention. Whether you're a fan of conspiracy thrillers, sci-fi dramas or deeply human tales, Paradise has something to offer. And as the first season leaves plenty of room for expansion, one thing's for sure: we're just scratching the surface of this new world.

Synopsis : 
A peaceful community is home to some of the world's most prominent personalities. But their tranquility explodes when a shocking murder is committed and a high-stakes investigation begins.

Paradise
Created by Dan Fogelman
Starring  Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, James Marsden
Music by Siddhartha Khosla
Executive producers : Sterling K. Brown, Dan Fogelman, John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Jess Rosenthal, John Hoberg, Steve Beers
Producer : Chris Nguyen-Gia
Production companies : Rhode Island Ave. Productions, 20th Television
Network : Hulu (United States), Disney+ (France)
Release January 26, 2025 – present

Photos : Copyright Hulu