Nine Perfect Strangers welcomed fans into the most eyebrow raising of circumstances at the Tranquillum House. The first season took viewers through a rollercoaster of emotions and a star-studded cast when it debuted on Hulu in August 2021. If you haven't been absolutely hypnotized by Nicole Kidman's magnetic leading role, where have you been? Consider this your sign to add Nine Perfect Strangers to your list of things to binge, but this is a fair warning that spoilers are ahead!
As a show based on a New York Times bestselling book written by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers follows nine stressed individuals as they embark on a transformative experience at a boutique health and wellness resort. Their Russian host, Masha, aims to heal their minds, bodies, and souls. However, these "perfect" strangers have no idea what they're in for as Masha's mission is honorable, but there's an underlying agenda that has everyone questioning her true intentions.
Each character is as captivating as the next and season 1 has a vibe that always keeps you guessing what's next.
What happened at the end of Season 1of Nine Perfect Strangers?
The short answer? A LOT! It's ultimately revealed that Masha (Nicole Kidman) has been giving her guests experimental doses of psychedelics in hopes of finding a way to reconnect with her deceased daughter—almost like a drug-induced portal to the afterlife. To speed up her experimental process, she gives herself and the Marconi family a dangerously high dose which leads viewers to fear for the family's well-being. To our surprise, the psychedelics do what they're intended to do—allow the family to connect with their dead son one more time for some much needed closure. And after years of attempts and a previous death while at the resort, Masha finally crosses the threshold that was holding her back from seeing her late daughter while hallucinating.
While all of this is going on, the other guests are locked into a padded room by Masha's employee in order to prevent them from interfering with the Marconis' experimental session. After figuring out Masha's intentions, they all want out. Things just go even more downhill when there seems to be a fire in the next room. Luckily, a former employee of Tranquillum is headed to alert the police about the wrong doings at the resort.
Eventually the "perfect strangers" (Samara Weaving, Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, Luke Evans, Regina Hall, and Melvin Gregg) learn that the "fire" was fake as an employee explains the smoke was a tactic to help them find peace during a near-death experience.
As Masha's drug-induced meeting with her late daughter is happening, the police arrive to arrest her. Despite all of the weird, borderline psychotic experiences while at Tranquillum, all "nine perfect strangers" leave positively impacted, healed, and ready to live life without the baggage they brought to the retreat. The final scene shows Masha driving with her daughter in a car down an oceanside road with a copy of Liane Moriarty's book on the dashboard. All in all, it seems like a very unexpected yet pleasant happy ending.
One fan summed it up well with a comment on Instagram saying, "OMG!!! I have mixed emotions about the ending. I was scared, I was confused and I was worried. For the most part I was relieved and happy knowing everyone was ok 😍."
So, are we getting a Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers?
Good question! Here's the thing—becuase the Hulu limited series is based off of a single book, we're not left with an existing plot line to follow after the season 1 finale. With that being said, it wouldn't be the first time one of Liane Moriarty's books was turned into multiple seasons despite lacking a storyline to follow. Producer and writer David E. Kelley also worked with Nicole to make Big Little Lies, which got a second season despite not having a second book to base it off of.
Fans on social media have spoken. People took to the Nine Perfect Strangers Instagram page to comment:
- "We want Season 2"
- "I wish there was more! I absolutely loved this show!"
- "S2!!! Please!!! We need it 🙏"
- "I think I need another retreat 😩😩"
- "I just simply cannot take it if y’all don’t continue with a Season 2!!!! And I know Masha was driving off into the sunset but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SAY THERE WILL B A SEASON 2!!!!!! "
Although there are no official plans for a second season, director Jonathan Levine told Buzzfeed that he already has ideas brewing for season 2 if it gets a green light. He said in his interview, "I hope that people enjoy it enough for season 2 to be an option. I certainly can imagine where it would go for a second season. The one thing I did think would be cool is if you could get, like, another group of nine. One of them would be, like, a famous person playing themselves. I would love for people to want more. And then it's about whether we could convince David, the series creator, and Nicole." He also likes the idea of introducing another group of "nine perfect strangers" to a retreat for season 2.
A new cast? New scenery? A new group of individuals that have their issues treated with hallucinogens? We sure would watch it and can't wait for Hulu to make an official announcement after season 1's success.
Chaise Sanders is an Associate Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers anything from lifestyle and beauty to entertainment and style. Wanna upgrade your skincare game? She's got you covered with the best facial cleansing brushes. Or maybe you're in need of a new true crime show to binge? Got that covered too! Prior to joining the Cosmo team, Chaise was an editor at Country Living (also part of the Hearst fam) where she interviewed celebs like Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes and even Martha Stewart. Now, as one of the Big Apple's newest residents, there's a good chance that you can catch her checking out an Insta-worthy cafe or spending way to much $$$ in vintage stores.
