Review: Stateless

Co-created by Cate Blanchett, Stateless is inspired by the true story of a mentally ill woman who was imprisoned in an Australian detention center, despite being a resident. 

Six episodes make up the Limited series on Netflix. We follow four stories that tragically connect. The first is Sophie (Yvonne Strahovski), an Australian flight attendant who is trying to find herself and falls into the clutches of a cult. Throughout the series, we see the events that lead to her eventual mental breakdown and detainment. 

Next is Ameer (Fayssal Bazzi) and his family, including his young daughter Mina (Soraya Heidari), fleeing Afghanistan to seek asylum in Australia. While Ameer attempts to do everything right, he’s at a constant battle with his country and the one he’s trying to find solace in.

Then there is Cam (Jai Courtney), a humble and honest father attempting to make a better life for his family. Friends offer him a job at the detention center. He takes it with the hope that he can provide for his family, not knowing how the job will impact his life.

Lastly, there’s Claire (Asher Keddie), the new immigration boss brought in to help the center. While she may be in charge, she’s fumbling through her position and, as a result, finds her self in a constant finger-pointing battle with the centers general manager. 

Throughout the series, we see these four stories unravel. They all start with hope, then lead to desperation, and finally, acceptance. 

Stateless starts with a, “How did we get here?” Scenario. Through a tangled timeline, we see the events that unfold that lead to that defining moment. But it’s what follows after that makes Stateless a statement on how immigration is being handled around the world. 

The series has a steady beat, the tension grows in each episode and demands your attention. It’s like a pot of water boiling with a lid on top. You’re just waiting for it to explode as the heat from the situation rises.

It’s a painfully relevant story. Not only because it deals with the troubled immigration system, but also because it gives an authentic insight into mental illness. There’s also a raw look at the demons we all face, the battle of trying to do the right thing, and how sometimes we don’t always get the outcome we planned.

Yvonne Strahovski is breathtaking in her role. She plays it with such ease. It’s a stark contrast from seeing her as the hardened persona she has to play on The Handmaids Tale. Her portrayal of Sophie just makes you want to jump through the screen, hug her, and provide the promise that everything will be okay. 

Stateless is riveting and heartbreaking. Knowing the stories are authentic; it feels more like a gut-punching documentary than a TV drama. Each scene is so intense you can’t stop watching because you are praying that this has a happy ending in sight.

The show is expertly written and executed. While it may feel jolting at times, the out of order timeline adds to the intensity and will have you binging the series to see the outcome.

Stream Stateless July 7th on Netflix.