PARADISE on Hulu and Disney+ is a new thriller series full of gorgeous twists and an amazing cast. Sterling K. Brown stars in this series from This is Us creator Dan Fogelman. No spoilers, but genre fans should be very pleased. Read our Paradise Season 1 review here!

PARADISE is a new Hulu and Disney+ thriller series with 8 episodes. I don’t know what I expected from this new production, but I was very happy with what I got. Of course, I am admittedly usually very happy with whatever creator Dan Fogelman comes up with, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

However, the elements presented at the end of episode 1, did add an extra element of joy for me. Officially, the premiere of the first three episodes is on January 28, but episode 1 has just dropped a day early on January 27, 2025, on both Hulu and Disney+.

Continue reading our Paradise Season 1 review below.

Welcome to Paradise?

Paradise takes place in a serene and seemingly wonderful community. The kind of place that’s home to some of the most prominent (and important) people in the world. However, you would do well to remember that the tagline of this new Hulu & Disney+ series is “Read between the lies.”

Not all is as it seems. In fact, one could even argue that by the end of episode 1, you’ll realize that nothing is exactly as it’s presented to us at first.  The fact that a murder happens at the beginning of episode 1 also makes this seem like less of a Paradise.

Of course, this murder has already been shown in the trailer as it’s a key element to what will happen next. We’re watching things unfold in the present of this world while understanding everything better via flashbacks. It’s an intelligent and intriguing storyline made even better by the writing and cast.

Oh yeah, I’m a fan of Paradise from the very beginning. The series, that is. Not so much the place it’s set in.

Paradise (2025) – Review | Hulu Thriller Series | Disney+

Sterling K. Brown is perfectly cast

As much as I enjoy the creations of writer Dan Fogelman, I also adore Sterling K. Brown. He has been amazing in everything so far and the Paradise thriller series is no exception. As a Secret Service agent tasked with protecting the president of the United States (James Marsden), he is – as always – a natural.

Also, I have to say that James Marsden (The Stand, Westworld) is wonderful as the president. Charming and engaging, while also having obvious darker and egotistical sides. If you’ve watched his performance in Dead to Me, then you’ll get quite a bit of that in this role. And I do mean that as a huge compliment.

Other key characters in Paradise are portrayed by even more amazing actors. From Julianne Nicholson (The Outsider) and Sarah Shahi (Person of Interest) to Krys Marshall (For All Mankind), Nicole Brydon Bloom (1BR), Charlie Evans (Leave the World Behind), and Jon Beavers (Soft & Quiet).

To name just a few of the actors in this new Disney+ and Hulu thriller series.

Start watching Paradise season 1 on Hulu & Disney+ now!

As already mentioned initially, Paradise is a new series from creator Dan Fogelman. He previously created This is Us (which I adored) and I would watch anything he created or wrote after this. However, I am extremely thrilled that he has created an actual genre series (covering much more than just “thriller”) with Paradise.

The directors of the eight episodes, who each directs two episodes, are Hanelle M. Culpepper (Westworld, Lucifer), Glenn Ficarra (WeCrashed), John Requa (Rabbit Hole), and Stephen Williams (True Story, Watchmen).

The series has eight episodes and hopefully, it won’t be over after just these episodes. That’s why we speak about this as Season 1. We’re trying to manifest more seasons of Paradise on Hulu and Disney+. Episode 1 surprisingly premiered a day early on January 27 on Hulu & Disney+. Episodes 2 and 3 come out on January 28, 2025.

Paradise is streaming on Hulu and Disney+ with the final episode coming on March 4, 2025.

Details

Creator: Dan Fogelman
Cast: Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV

Plot

Paradise is set in a serene community inhabited by some of the world’s most prominent individuals. But this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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