The Residence on Netflix is one of the most meticulously crafted screwball comedy whodunits I’ve watched in years. At the heart of this miniseries is Uzo Aduba. And it tells the story of the aftermath of a murder at the White House. On the case is Cordelia Cupp, an investigator that has solved some of the biggest cases in the world. And as you progress through the eight episode miniseries, you’re introduced to a whole slew of characters that exemplify the divide within the White House. There are the ones who draw the eye like the President or Prime Minister of Australia. Even Kylie Minogue is there. But then there are those who keep the White House running, the staff. Together they provide a rich and interesting investigation.
In many ways The Residence reminds me of why people love Wes Anderson films so much. There’s this sort of deadpan delivery to lines in the midst of a very serious situation that is part of the charm of Wes Anderson movies. There’s also of course the quirky and highly specific main character who speaks in a precise and unapologetic manner. (That’s Cordelia in The Residence, by the way.) And I would say that people love Wes Anderson films because they steer away from the slapstick or gross humor that Hollywood likes to turn out like butter. Instead, Wes Anderson films are character driven with a witty dialogue tied into an elaborate event that is treated with a sincerity you wouldn’t see in other kinds of comedy. All of those aspects of Wes Anderson films are in Paul William Davies The Residence.
Comparing The Residence to Wes Anderson is a compliment and also me being extremely happy that there is someone else who is doing this cerebral and oddly hilarious kind of humor. Because as much as I like Wes Anderson, it’s kind of boring that he seemingly perceives the world through a white lens almost exclusively. It’s giving Tim Burton and how he doesn’t really think that Black people fit his “vision.” If anything, I like The Residence better than any Wes Anderson film that I have ever seen. Because it doesn’t center the white experience. Instead it paints a more realistic portrayal of our world.
Then there’s my darling Cordelia Cupp played by Uzo Aduba. Her portrayal is transformative and she plays the kind of character that we’ve seen Benedict Cumberbatch take on and become a quirky and loveable star because of it. Either way, Cordelia approaches this bizarre murder at the White House with a deadpan delivery that feels a little bit emotionally stunted until you realize that she is always observing. The tiniest details in this 132 room building, it serves a purpose for her. She’s also meticulous and knows how to talk people in circles or let themselves talk in circles to get what she wants. Cordelia is eccentric without dipping into a stereotypical portrayal of what film or TV thinks a brilliant person is. There’s also the fact that I love that she knows that she’s amazing as if it were a fact similar to the sky being blue and us breathing air. The confidence is hot, plain and simple.
Cordelia’s supporting cast is the cinematography of The Residence. And it makes sense when you look at the directors of photography for The Residence. You have Peter Deming who did the cinematography for Anya Taylor Joy’s The Menu. You also have Paula Huidobro who did the cinematography for Barry and Physical. There is a distinct yet nostalgic and fast-paced perspective when it comes to The Residence because of their eye. And the way that the show jumps between before the murder and after the murder, it’s easy to follow while exemplifying a specific style that is prevalent within whodunits. You’ve got this campy kind of distinction between the light and dark scenes within The Residence. But you also have the camera focusing on specific objects or people that act as clues later on. And I love how the POV switches between people as the story progresses, truths are revealed, and lies are told. Because the investigation isn’t for the people in that room. It’s for us. The viewer.
In the midst of all of this cerebral, deadpan, and hyper stylized visuals of The Residence, there is a gentleness to this story in various moments throughout the miniseries. Because these are suspects. But these are also people. And at the end of the day everybody’s just trying to make it through the day. And it really added to the story when we got to know a little bit more about Cordelia and her relationships outside of this investigation. The same thing goes for the president’s brother or the waiter. These are all people trying to make it through the day. And Cordelia, in particular, is very distinct because she exemplifies navigating the world and helping others by being yourself. She doesn’t pretend to be someone she’s not and she helps people based on the capabilities that she has. And that sets her apart from everyone on this show and makes this new Netflix mini-series shine in a way that reminds me of why I love film and TV so much.
The Residence is now available on Netflix.
Fabulous! I throughly enjoyed every episode! It was like immersing myself in one of Agatha Christie’s best mysteries, I couldn’t stop watching it! It’s the first show I’ve ever been compelled to binge watch. Great acting and highly entertaining!