Missing nanny reveals sinister secrets: discover the dark side of wealth in 'Secrets We Keep'
Image: Netflix
I know that not everyone is a fan of subtitled offerings. However, sometimes it's worth putting aside such peeves when you are guaranteed a phenomenal watch.
One such show is the Danish whodunit, 'Secrets We Keep', which is among SA's Top 10 shows streaming on Netflix.
The six-part series is set in an affluent suburb in Copenhagen, where Filipino au pairs live their best life, too.
It centres on the close-knit friendship between Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen) and her lawyer husband, Mike (Simon Sears), and their neighbours Katarina (Danica Curcic) and her tycoon husband Rasmus (Lars Ranthe).
The dynamic changes when the latter couples nanny, Ruby (Donna Levkovski), goes missing.
Cecilie grapples with guilt after dismissing Ruby's plea for help during dinner at her home on the night of the incident. The event also affects Cecilie's au pair, Angel (Excel Busano), and other local babysitters from the Philippines.
Viewers streaming the first episode are captivated by the lavish lives of the featured individuals. Cecilie, a working mother, enjoys an ideal balance between her career and family life, a privilege made possible by Angel.
These opulent homes, filled with top-of-the-line decor and high-tech gadgets, appear worthy of a feature in a sophisticated home magazine.
Despite their seemingly flawless lives, wealthy families often have hidden complexities. And that is certainly unpacked in the unfolding episodes.
Although Cecilie shows kindness and support for Angel, encouraging her to finally start her own business, her well-heeled lifestyle sharply contrasts with the personal hardships faced by her nanny.
Katarina and Rasmus are more inconvenienced than concerned by Ruby's disappearance, even though all her belongings, including her passport, are in her room.
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Rasmus (Lars Ranthe), Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), Katarina (Danica Curcic) and Mike (Simon Sears) in a scene from 'Secrets We Keep'.
Image: Netflix
Meanwhile, Cecilie urges Katarina to report Ruby as a missing person. The case is assigned to a police officer named Aicha (Sara Fanta Traore), who appears to be more emotionally invested in solving it.
Cecilie initiates her own investigation into the matter, occurring concurrently with Aicha's inquiry. Amid this, she stumbles across information that looks damning for her husband, who, when he was younger, was charged with rape.
During this time, she discovers potentially incriminating information about her husband, it is compounded by her knowledge of a rape charge when he was a young adult. This incident has haunted him his entire life, as there were mitigating circumstances surrounding the charge.
But he isn't the only suspect on her list, especially after realising that Ruby was pregnant.
Rasmus has a chequered history with their au pairs, who are never around for a very long time.
The strain of Ruby's disappearance weighs heavily on everyone, and the cracks in their relationships as well as friendships start surfacing.
However, the distracted parents remain oblivious to their teenage sons' activities: secretly filming their au pairs and sharing the pornographic material.
While Katarina's son Oscar (Frode Bilde Rønsholt) is the ringleader of this group, Cecilie's son Viggo (Lukas Zuperka) is more of an observer until he is shown troubling footage of Ruby.
At school, a teacher stumbles across what the boys have been up to, and it opens a can of worms, especially when Ruby's body is found.
"Secrets We Keep" reveals the evolving moral compass of the affluent as they attempt to resolve issues with financial resources. The narrative dissects their transformation from lenient to neglectful parenting styles.
Through detailed settings and complex challenges, the script highlights the contrasting realities of nannies and their employers.
Overall, this stylishly directed series offers a bird's-eye view into the deficient morals of the rich, who have no qualms turning a blind eye to injustice when it comes to protecting one of their own.
Rating: 4/5 **** a standout series with exceptional qualities.
Below are similar must-see offerings:
"Sirens"
In this Netflix dark comedy, Devon is worried about her sister Simone's unsettling connection with her wealthy new employer, Michaela, prompting her to plan an intervention.
It has a star-studded cast of Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon and Julianne Moore.
"The Perfect Couple"
A Nantucket setting provides the backdrop for a story about a lavish wedding thrown into chaos by a sudden murder.
It stars an ensemble cast of Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Donna Lynne Champlin, Jack Reynor, Michael Beach, Ishaan Khatter, Sam Nivola, Mia Isaac and Dakota Fanning.
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