Disney's Paradise: A Twisted Mix of The White Lotus and Fallout

Despite the world being in a state that seems far from apocalyptic, TV continues to embrace post-apocalyptic themes, and Disney's new series Paradise is a prime example. Set in the aftermath of an undefined global catastrophe that has wiped out all but 25,000 survivors, Paradise begins with a seemingly perfect suburban life. Sterling K. Brown stars as Agent Xavier Collins, the top-tier Secret Service agent and longtime bodyguard to President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), who lives in a pristine neighborhood with a beautiful family.

While everything seems perfect, there's an undeniable Black Mirror-like vibe in the air. Things take a strange turn when Collins encounters a man resetting a robot duck, revealing that the town of Paradise—designed to evoke a picturesque slice of Middle America—is all an illusion. The town, in reality, exists as a massive bunker beneath a mountain in Colorado, home to the last survivors of humankind, selected for their expertise in science and technology.

But that’s just the first twist. The second comes quickly when a murder shocks the community: President Bradford is found dead in his room, murdered for the first time in the town’s three-year history. As Collins delves into the mystery, he finds himself surrounded by other residents with their own potential motives for wanting the president dead.

Among the suspects is tech mogul Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), a billionaire who funded and oversaw the construction of Paradise; Dr. Gabriela Torabi (Sarah Shahi), a psychiatrist with secrets; Agent Robinson (Krys Marshall), Xavier’s boss who had a clandestine affair with Bradford; and Agent Billy Pace (Jon Beavers), a seemingly dim-witted security guard with possible dark motives.

While the concept may seem far-fetched—building an entire city underground is nearly impossible—it doesn’t detract from the show’s entertainment. James Marsden delivers a charismatic performance as President Bradford, blending laid-back charm with a touch of darker complexity. His portrayal draws comparisons to iconic political figures, with hints of JFK, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Barack Obama, but there’s also an intriguing edge to his character that deepens as the series progresses.

With five more episodes to go, Paradise has plenty of ground to cover. The drama escalates with each twist and cliffhanger, keeping the stakes high and the suspense tight. Key questions remain: what happened to the world, who killed the president, and is every tech billionaire a power-hungry villain? Fortunately, Disney has chosen to release episodes weekly, allowing viewers to savor the mystery without resorting to binge-watching all at once.