The White Lotus Season 3 Review: A Stunning Yet Slower Burn in Thailand

‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Review: A Luxurious Escape That Takes Time to Sizzle

HBO’s dramedy hit, The White Lotus Season 3, has finally arrived, premiering on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 9 p.m. on HBO and streaming on Max. This time, the Emmy-winning series transports us to an exotic new destination—Thailand. While visually stunning and packed with an all-star cast, this season is more subdued than its predecessors, which may divide fans.

A New Destination, A Familiar Mystery

As with past seasons, The White Lotus Thailand kicks off with an ominous opening—another fatal incident at the luxurious resort. The show then rewinds a week, following a new group of wealthy, unhappy vacationers as their extravagant getaway slowly unravels into chaos.

Creator Mike White’s The White Lotus continues its signature blend of satire and social commentary, but this season takes a bit longer to heat up. The mix of new and returning characters sets the stage for an intriguing yet slow-burning drama.

Who’s Checking In?

Each season of HBO’s The White Lotus follows a fresh set of privileged vacationers navigating personal turmoil against the backdrop of a lavish resort. While most of the White Lotus cast is new, this season does bring back one familiar face—Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), the spa manager from Season 1.

Here’s a look at the key guests in The White Lotus Season 3 plot:

• Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) – A dysfunctional couple with a significant age gap. Chelsea, who playfully mocks Rick’s aging, might just be this season’s Tanya McQuoid.

• The Ratliff Family – Timothy (Jason Isaacs) and his wife Victoria (Parker Posey), who is perpetually confused about whether they’re in China, along with their three college-aged kids, Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook), Lochlan (Sam Nivola), and Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger).

• A Girls’ Trip Gone Awry – Three childhood friends—Jaclyn (Michelle Monaghan), Kate (Leslie Bibb), and Laurie (Carrie Coon)—reunite, but their getaway doesn’t go as planned.

Life After Jennifer Coolidge’s White Lotus Exit

One of the biggest questions heading into The White Lotus Season 3 was how the show would fare without Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya McQuoid, the eccentric, scene-stealing heiress who met her fate in Season 2. While her departure was necessary to keep the character from becoming overplayed, her absence leaves a noticeable void. The series struggles at times to fill that space, making this season feel less chaotic and more restrained.

A Feast for the Eyes, but a Slow Burn for the Story

If nothing else, The White Lotus Thailand is a visual masterpiece. From breathtaking island landscapes to opulent resorts, the cinematography makes it hard not to dream about booking a trip. However, while the setting is mesmerizing, the storyline takes longer to ignite compared to previous seasons. The pacing in the first few episodes feels slower, and some of the most compelling actors, like Goggins and Coon, aren’t given enough material to shine.

Even the hotel staff subplot feels less vibrant. While the Thai employees, like Gaitok (Tayme Thapthimthong), are likable, they don’t bring the same spark as Season 1’s Armond (Murray Bartlett) or Season 2’s Sicilian sex workers.

Where Does It Stand?

For fans hoping for instant unhinged behavior, patience is required. While there are moments of wild antics, the drama unfolds at a more deliberate pace. That said, the final two episodes—unavailable for early reviews—could potentially ramp things up.

Some storylines, like Saxon’s one-note “horny rich kid” persona, feel underdeveloped. Additionally, a later plot twist involving his character is bound to raise eyebrows, seeming more focused on shock value than realistic storytelling