This New-to-Netflix Mystery Series Is ‘Knives Out’ Meets ‘Succession’

Despicable wealthy individuals doing despicable issues will not be an idea we haven’t seen earlier than. Netflix’s new launch, Master of the House, actually performs into this idea in a grotesquely confronting approach, however it combines two well-loved concepts in a approach that makes it contemporary and well worth the watch. Stylistically filmed, the collection instantly begins with a Knives Out premise, kicking off the underhanded drama and deception with the demise of the patriarch. This is cohesively woven in with scandalous Succession-like rivalry, the place characters are continually at one another’s throats, vying for the inheritance and keen to cross unimaginable strains to get their grasping fingers on it.

Fans of each collection will adore this thriller, although you have to a powerful abdomen for it, because it turns into a provocative story about possession adorned with visuals which can be usually troublesome to witness. With sexual assault, homicide, and manipulation, the characters are all armed with the insatiable want for possession that’s so abhorrently graphic that we could must look away infrequently, however our diligence is rewarded with probably the most gratifying ending.

Master of the House (2024)

Master of the House is a Thai drama mystery-thriller TV collection centering round a fierce energy wrestle inside a household following the mysterious demise of a rich diamond tycoon. The drama unfolds as his grasping heirs and the maid he not too long ago married vie for management over his fortune and diamond empire.

Release Date

July 18, 2024

Cast

Narilya Gulmongkolpech , Teerapong Leowrakwong , Charttayodom Hiranyashthiti , Thanavate Siriwattanagul , Nusba Punnakanta , Claudia Chakrabandhu Na Ayudya

Main Genre

Mystery

Seasons

1

Netflix’s ‘Master of The House’ Offers a ‘Knives Out’ Murder Mystery

One of the earliest relationships established in Master of the House is between the pinnacle of the family, Roongroj (Teerapong Leowrakwong), and his private attendant, Kaimook (Narilya Gulmongkolpech). It is straight away set other than the normal master-servant mannequin we see among the many different employees members, as Roongroj asks for Kaimook’s enter throughout a quarrel between his sons. By merely giving her a voice, he establishes a “special” connection between the 2 and in addition lauds his energy over his sons, belittling them with an inferior’s opinion. This is straight away paying homage to Knives Out‘s Harlan (Christopher Plummer) and Marta (Ana de Armas), the place Harlan is disparaging in the direction of his grasping members of the family however clearly cares for Marta. However, Master of the House takes this a step additional within the pilot, as Roongroj and Kaimook, shockingly, develop into husband and spouse. But, after all, a homicide thriller can’t start and not using a demise that every one characters would profit from, and in these movies, that might be the patriarch.

Like in Knives Out, we primarily undergo the whodunit plot via the angle of the maid, whereas the remainder of the household squabble over the inheritance and are often aghast by what they acquired (or what they did not). Kaimook appears to be the one one who’s vaguely enthusiastic about fixing the homicide, with even the police content material to rule it an accident. As she picks up clues and scourges for digicam footage, we’re confronted with a handful of unsavory characters who all have becoming motivations. Despite the tangled internet of deception that evokes the twists and turns of Knives Out, Master of the House‘s cinematography is clear and exact, fluidly shifting from scene to scene solid in moody hues. While Knives Out is considerate and vibrant, Master of the House is provocative and shadowy, preferring its filming fashion to mirror its darkish material.

Runroj and Naimook’s Master-Servant Dynamic Is Creepy in ‘Master of the House’

While darkness actually permeates all through the present, there’s something distinctly sinister and creepy about Roongroj and Kaimook’s relationship. While Harlan is keen on Marta as a result of she is real and guileless, utterly not like the remainder of his dysfunctional household, Roongroj is drawn to Kaimook’s obedience and sweetness. As we be taught extra about Roongroj’s tyrannical and brutal methods, his marriage to Kaimook appears extra like the identical master-servant settlement, however now Kaimook will get to decorate up and is extra accessible in his bed room. There is a holistic portrayal of their mysterious relationship within the present’s finale — it’s as deeply unsettling and profoundly inexplicable as you’ll anticipate their relationship to be, but nonetheless elicits a puff. But probably the most intriguing method to dissect their bond is thru the motif of butterflies.

Roongroj’s interest displays his need to personal one thing he perceives as lovely. He reveals his appreciation via the act of pinning it down and encasing it in a glass jail with cautious precision. The present performs on the hyperlink between energy and sweetness, as we often see the elite fastidiously curate their appearances and bask in lavish objects. But Roongroj takes this additional by holding a dwelling factor captive, thus translating to how he views Kaimook. Interestingly, there are scenes the place we additionally see Kaimook partaking in his interest after he dies, hinting that maybe the 2 aren’t so totally different in spite of everything.

‘Succession’ Rivalries Emerge in ‘Master of the House’

While Kaimook spends a lot of her display time investigating the homicide and being suffering from the household, the remainder of the Thevasaitipaisarn clan compete in a rivalry that Succession followers would enjoyment of. The again alley offers and video games start earlier than the desire is even learn, notably between the 2 brothers, Phupat (Charttayodom Hiranyasthiti) and Mavin (Thanavate Siriwattanagul). Everyone is vying for a hefty chunk of Roongroj’s multi-million diamond firm, Theva Gems, and, like each true nepo-baby, is keen to cross strains to get it. The enjoying area is corrupted as blackmail firmly locations one of many brothers on the helm of the empire, and naturally, below-the-belt offers, nasty jabs, and pitiless conniving ensue. This cutthroat debacle can also be served with a disturbing dose of incest and quite a few murders, and every wrongdoer is elitist and conceited sufficient to consider they may undoubtedly get away with it.

While Succession hosts an array of inherently unlikable characters, the present nonetheless manages to make them compelling via depth and complexity, even when a redeemable high quality is nary in sight. Our obsession with the present exposes our glutton for villainy, as we spend money on characters and tales to revel within the scrumptious drama. The characters of Master of the House could also be unlikable in considerably related methods, however compelling, they don’t seem to be. Instead, the collection makes us revile them, notably evident in Mavin’s characterization, who repeatedly sexually assaults and harasses his maids in repulsively graphic scenes. While we’re hypnotized by Succession’s villainy, we’re extra traumatized by Master of the House‘s. But these disconcerting photographs are efficient in making the ending extra highly effective and celebratory, and we spend a lot of the runtime clutching onto the hope of seeing the household face their retribution.

‘Master of the House’ Is a Tale About Possession

Master of the House turns into a chilling and compelling story about possession, as each motivation behind each resolution within the family relies on taking possession of one thing. The most overt instance of that is the inheritance, the place greed and energy drive characters to go down ungodly depths simply to realize a slight benefit. But greed and energy additionally develop into their downfall, as the opponents are so blinded by their satisfaction and extravagance that they do not even notice there’s one other contender on the chessboard. This is inextricably linked to their need to manage the narrative round Roongroj’s demise. While Kaimook is the one one actively searching for out the reality, the remainder of the members of the family solely develop into within the case after they can manipulate the information to their benefit.

Most disgustingly, nevertheless, is when the characters attempt to possess different individuals. This is overtly carried out via the slave-like contract all of the servants signal that strips them of autonomy and even permits the home to punish them by imprisoning them in a cage. The animalistic imagery paired with their visceral response is a completely harrowing viewing expertise, and as we proceed to observe the present, it is virtually as if we have bought our souls to this household alongside the employees. Murder and sexual assault additionally run rampant all through the grounds, as masters “toy” with their employees simply to show that they’re “above” them and personal them. Despite all of the brutality, the present additionally possesses us, holding our eyes captive with stunningly grim cinematography that delivers completely revolting photographs. As such, on the intersection of Knives Out and Succession is a frightening story about possession and all of the twisted kinds it could possibly manifest in that leaves us with a satisfying conclusion and rattled nerves.

Master of the House is on the market to stream now on Netflix within the U.S.

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