Resentment and secrets can start like a slow burn, but sure enough, they eventually turn into a blazing inferno.
And an inferno is what kicks off the intriguing and ambitious first look at Hulu’s highly anticipated new limited series, an adaptation of Celeste Ng’s acclaimed 2017 novel Little First Everywhere.
The clip, which dropped Friday, opens with a horror-stricken woman, Elena (Reese Witherspoon), who watches her lavish home go up in flames.
Horror-struck: The intriguing and ambitious first look at Hulu’s new limited series Little First Everywhere, starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, dropped Friday
Ablaze: The clip opens with a horror-stricken woman (Witherspoon) who watches her lavish home go up in flames
‘Someone burned down your house, with you inside,’ a fireman says. ‘Do you know anyone that would do this?’
Another shot of Elena’s face shows a grieving, yet knowing expression — she has her suspicions.
Cut to a previous time, and Reese’s Elena is seen waking in her beautifully appointed bedroom.
Another woman is seen at a window — Mia, played by Kerry Washington, stands in decidedly drabber surroundings.
Cut to a previous time: Reese’s Elena is seen waking in her beautifully appointed bedroom
Another woman is seen: Mia, played by Washington, stands in decidedly drabber surroundings
‘One day you wake up, and your life is settled,’ Witherspoon says in voice over. ‘And you know who you are… Or at least, you think you do.’
Another shot shows Reese playing to type in the character — she meticulously arranges multi-colored paper lunch bags in a row on the kitchen counter, and it immediately becomes clear that the actress is yet again playing some new iteration of the Type A control freak she portrayed in Big Little Lies as Madeline, and (most successfully) in Election as Tracy Flick.
We see the two women together at a book club-type meeting in a gorgeous house, where Reese introduces Kerry’s character to a group of predominantly white women.
Madeline Mackenzie part II: Another shot shows Reese playing to type in the character — she meticulously arranges multi-colored paper lunch bags in a row on the kitchen counter
Book club: We see the two women together at a book club-type meeting in a gorgeous house, where Reese introduces Kerry’s character to a group of predominantly white women
‘She’s new to Shaker [Heights, Ohio],’ Reese says, before casting Kerry a menacing sidelong glance that speaks volumes.
More is then revealed about Washington’s character Mia, who is caring for her daughter and at one point seems to be living out of her car.
At dinner, Reese is grilled by her husband, played by Dawson’s Creek alum Joshua Jackson, who asks her about her association with ‘a homeless woman.’
More is then revealed about Washington’s character: Mia is caring for her daughter and at one point seems to be living out of her car
‘You know what felt good? Helping.’ she fires back.
And thus begins a back and forth between the two women, with mounting tension: Reese finds Kerry on the street near her car, and says, ‘I’ve been meaning to hire someone for my house, just to do a little light cleaning, some laundry…’
‘You mean to be your maid?’ Washington responds.
‘I meant more of a… house-helper,’ Witherspoon replies back.
The class difference is palpable, and soon they are in a screaming match.
Class warfare: Thus begins a back and forth between the two women, with mounting tension
‘A good mother makes good choices,’ Reese’s Elena states.
‘You didn’t make good choices! You HAD good choices!’ Kerry’s Mia fires back.
The drama grows to a boiling point, giving off an aura not unlike Bong Joon-Ho’s masterful awards contender Parasite.
‘A good mother makes good choices,’ Reese’s Elena states
‘You didn’t make good choices! You HAD good choices!’ Kerry’s Mia fires back
‘Have you really looked at yourself? The parts you’re afraid to look at?’ Kerry asks in voice over as fast-paced images reveal passionate interactions of various kinds, and soon enough, more little fires everywhere.
Both Witherspoon and Washington are also credited as executive producers on the series, and they were on hand at the Hulu Panel at the Winter TCA 2020 tour in support of the show on Friday at The Langham Huntington hotel in Pasadena, California.
Little Fires Everywhere premieres on Hulu March 18.
Fast-paced images reveal: Passionate interactions of various kinds
Soon enough: More little fires everywhere are sparked
Costars and co-producers: Both Witherspoon and Washington are also credited as executive producers on the series, and they were on hand at the Hulu Panel at the Winter TCA 2020 tour in support of the show on Friday in Pasadena
Coming soon: Little Fires Everywhere premieres on Hulu March 18
