Just Kim

Finally getting around to watching *The Crowded Room* and wow, the wait was absolutely worth it! This show is an incredible piece of storytelling, beautifully layered and deeply affecting. From the very first episode, I was pulled into its haunting atmosphere and emotional depth. A standout work that speaks to Akiva Goldsman's brilliance as both director and creator, who delivers a masterclass in tension, empathy, and revelation. The entire cast gives nuanced, raw performances that stay with you long after the credits roll. Everyone brought it but I must mention a few. Amanda Seyfried is fierce and grounded in her role as Rya Goodwin, her determination, compassion, and intelligence carry so much of the show’s moral weight. Emmy Rossum takes on an especially difficult role with composure and complexity, portraying pain, denial, and fractured love with heartbreaking honesty. And I must single out Tom Holland, what a gem of an actor. I’ve appreciated his range in every project he’s taken on, but The Crowded Room shows a whole new level of his talent. His performance is vulnerable, restrained, and poignant in all the right ways. It’s rare to see someone commit so fully to a tremendously demanding role, and he does it with such refinement and courage. How taxing this show must have been on everyone involved, emotionally and mentally. It’s clear that every frame was made with deep care and commitment to telling a difficult but necessary story. Thank you kindly to everyone involved in this production for shedding light on the painful truths of trauma and sexual abuse. It’s powerful, and told with integrity, care, and unflinching honesty. “None of it is under the victim’s control. None of it is the victim’s fault. You and Danny were prey… And my heart breaks for you.” — Rya Goodwin, The Crowded Room

This isn’t your average retreat *Nine Perfect Strangers* is a mind-bending dive into the beautiful and brutal mess of being human. What starts as a promise of healing quickly unravels into something far more twisted and psychedelic. Under the serene surface of the spa like feel lies a quiet chaos of secrets, trauma, and manipulation. The show is soaked in mood: unsettling, hypnotic, and emotionally raw. Each character is unraveling in real-time, and watching them spiral, sometimes toward clarity, sometimes into deeper madness is equal parts fascinating and uncomfortable. And then there's Masha, the enigmatic guide with god-complex vibes and a therapy style that borders on cultic. You’ll question her methods, her motives, and maybe your own sanity too. It’s original, addictive, and hits you right in the feels. Grief, love, rage, addiction, death, all of it’s here, stripped down and magnified. This show doesn’t offer easy resolutions, but it forces you to feel and to think. And that’s exactly why it’s a must watch.

Set in a scary time, it's a perfect amount of fear!