The White Lotus Season 3 Review: The White Lotus returns in 2025, bringing back its mix of dark comedy, social commentary, and mystery. Set in another luxury resort, this season follows wealthy guests and the staff serving them, revealing the hidden tensions and secrets beneath their glamorous lives.
The third season of The White Lotus premiered on February 16, 2025, and is available to stream on HBO MAX, JioHotstar, and Amazon Prime.
A Sharp, Satirical Mix of Humor, Mystery, and Society’s Dark Side
The White Lotus Season 3 Review: Each season of The White Lotus takes place at a luxury resort in a different location—Hawaii in Season 1, Sicily in Season 2, and Thailand in Season 3. The show always begins with a new group of guests arriving by boat, greeted by the resort staff.
The story focuses on a few guest groups and a handful of hotel employees. The pacing in The White Lotus Season 3 is slow, with scenic shots of the hotel and local landscapes setting the mood. The soundtrack reflects the location’s culture, and the movement of water often mirrors the emotions of a scene—sometimes even feeling sensual.
Sex, drinking, and drug use are common themes throughout the show. It’s a dark comedy filled with satire, interestingly exploring human nature. The attention to detail is impressive, from the books characters read to the quiet moments of hotel staff going about their work.
Aimee Lou and Lalisa Manobal from Blackpink stand out with their incredible performances—emotional, powerful, and truly captivating!
The show is a favorite among certain audiences, though others might find it slow and overly serious. However, season three does make two big improvements. First, Jennifer Coolidge is not returning—her character is becoming repetitive and distracting from the story. Instead, Parker Posey joins the cast, bringing fresh energy and humor. Second, the setting in Thailand adds a new and visually interesting backdrop.
The show also has elements of murder and mystery, making it even more intriguing. It was great to see Jon Gries, who I remember from Real Genius, playing Greg—possibly the only character to appear in all three seasons. I enjoy the way the scenes unfold, giving hints about what’s coming next.
A Slow Paced, Unlikable Characters, and Uninspiring Season
The first two seasons of The White Lotus had a great flow, with well-paced episodes and characters that felt both relatable and engaging. However, after watching the episodes of Season 3, it just doesn’t feel the same.
The storyline is dull, the characters are unlikeable, and the pacing feels off. I was hoping things would pick up by the second episode, but so far, nothing dramatic or exciting happens. The shift in tone this season might not work in the show’s favor.
From the start, the pacing of this season is painfully slow. Scenes drag on without adding much to the story or developing the characters in a meaningful way. What could have been a sharp take on privilege ends up feeling sluggish and aimless. Each episode feels stretched out, filled with unnecessary dialogue and long sequences that don’t add much to the plot.
For a show that prides itself on dark comedy, the humor often falls flat. Instead of delivering sharp wit or clever satire, it leans too much on awkward pauses and drawn-out conversations that feel like filler. There’s a fine line between subtle storytelling and plain dullness, and this season leans too far into the latter.
The biggest issue of The White Lotus Season 3, though, is the characters. While they are supposed to be over-the-top portrayals of the ultra-rich, they lack depth or nuance. Instead of being entertainingly flawed or fun to dislike, they just come across as annoying, whiny, and completely unreliable.
Verdict
The White Lotus Season 3 continues to offer a mix of satire, mystery, and social commentary, but this season struggles with pacing and unengaging characters. While the stunning locations and occasional sharp observations remain, the slow plot and lack of compelling storytelling might disappoint longtime fans. It’s still visually appealing, but the magic of the first two seasons feels somewhat lost.
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