Latest news with #SecretsWeKeep
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Netflix TV drama ‘Secrets We Keep' exposes the dangers of domestic migrant work
Secrets We Keep (Reservatet), a Danish suspense series on Netflix created by Ingeborg Topsøe, delves into the disappearance of a Filipina au pair from an elite suburb of Copenhagen — and delivers a sharp social commentary on racial and class entitlements. Moving fluidly between English, Danish and Tagalog, the six-part drama is a nuanced indictment of the lack of moral accountability among the rich. On display are the prejudices and complicity of white women in enabling a culture of toxic masculinity that treats Filipina migrant women as sexualized and disposable commodities. The story starts with a tearful Ruby Tan — a Filipina au pair who works for the affluent Rasmus (Lars Ranthe) and Katarina (Danica Curcic) — asking for some help with her employers from her neighbour, Cecilie (played by Marie Bach Hansen). Cecilie is a successful non-profit manager and mother of two married to a high-profile lawyer. She employs Angel (Excel Busano), a Filipina au pair. Cecilie tells Ruby she cannot get involved. The next day, Ruby vanishes without a trace. The series is propelled by Cecilie's guilt in refusing to help Ruby. She is shocked at her neighbours' apparent lack of concern for Ruby's disappearance. Cecilie begins to sleuth for clues regarding Ruby's disappearance and she eventually decides to assist Aicha, a racialized policewoman assigned to find the missing au pair. Cecilie discovers a pregnancy kit by a trash bin where she had last seen Ruby. And she soon suspects Ruby's employer, Rasmus, of raping her. While the series lacks true suspense due to its predictable story arc peppered with clues about Ruby's disappearance, it is amply compensated by a sharp critique on the moral decay of modern society, systemic racism and the complicity of women in upholding white masculine privilege. Warped racist view of the world Secrets We Keep lays bare the warped world view of rich, white privilege, racism and the sexual fetishism of Asian women. At a dinner party one night, Rasmus and Katarina do not seem concerned about their missing au pair. Katarina labels Filipina au pairs as whores working in brothels. When discussing Ruby, Katarina says, 'she probably ran off to do porn.' In one uncomfortable scene, Rasmus taunts Cecilia's husband, Mike (Simon Sears), about his sexual preferences. Mike responds by saying: 'I don't have 'yellow fever.'' Cecilia sits silently beside Mike. Katarina also calls Aicha (Sara Fanta Traore), the policewoman, 'the little brown one.' At a formal dinner, Rasmus tells Cecilia: 'We stick together. We are from the same world, and we are loyal to each other.' High rates of violence against women The reduction of Ruby into a sexual object in the show reflects the high rates of sexual violence against Filipina au pairs in Scandinavia. It led the Philippines to ban the participation of Scandinavian countries in its 'informal labour' arrangement in 1998. Though the ban was lifted in 2010, Au Pair Network, an advocacy group, reveals that the program is still riddled with abuse. The Nordic Paradox is a term used to describe how Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, rank the highest in the Gender Equality Index yet suffer from very high rates of violence against women and intimate partner violence in Europe. At a recent gender studies conference in Stockholm, Ardis Ingvars, a sociologist at the University of Iceland who worked as an au pair for a year in the United States just after she turned 18, recalls her anxiety and apprehension as she moved to Boston. She said: 'Au pairs hope to be lucky with the family turning out OK. What is difficult to take is the attitude of 'ownership' that the children and families display over the au pairs as an unquestioned entitlement.' Ingvars said asymmetrical power relations embedded within the au pair system reinforce racial and class hierarchies. This is reflected in Secrets We Keep. Midway during Aicha's investigation, as she hits roadblock after roadblock, she cries out in frustration: 'She's a fucking nobody in their world.' Feminized labour exploitation Economic globalization, neoliberal policies and an increased dependence on the remittance economy fuses with the care gap in the Global North to fuel the feminized care migration from the Global South, many of them Filipino women. Au pairs are placed with host families who provide free board and meals in return for up to 30 hours a week of housework and child care as they learn the host language and customs. The au pairs are paid 'pocket money' of Danish Kroner 5,000 per month (approx $1,000 Canadian) out of which they also pay local taxes. One scene shows one of Cecilie's work meetings. A junior staff member expresses surprise that Cecilie has an au pair, labelling it a relic of colonial era racial hierarchies. Cecilie defends herself, and says the system survives because of the failure of men to keep up their domestic bargain and thus the need for women like her 'to outsource care.' She argues the Filipina au pairs 'are dependable' and she is 'a much better mother' because of Angel. But Cecilie doesn't acknowledge her privilege — that to be with her children and have a career is predicated on the exploitative extraction of care from Global South women. The female au pairs in Denmark must be between 18-29 years of age, childless, never married and at the end of two years, return home. Almost 50 to 75 per cent of au pairs in Denmark are Filipino women Cecilie's shock at finding out that Angel has a son whom she left behind in the Philippines is part of her denial. In the end, Cecilie is unable to confront her own complicity and decides to release Angel from their au pair arrangement. 'You know nothing about my world…You are very lucky,' cries Angel in anguish as Cecilie hands her the return ticket and an extra three months' pay to demonstrate her magnanimity. Secrets We Keep reveals the brutal reality for Global South au pairs as well as upper-class white women and their entitlements. It indicates that even though these white wealthy women may see mistreatment, they maintain their silence and participate in wilful gendered violence to hold onto that privilege, while maintaining a façade of compassion towards the disposable racial migrant other. - Reuters
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Ending Of Netflix's ‘The Survivors' Is Really Quite Bad
The Survivors Netflix's new mystery, The Survivors, still has retained its 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I'm having a hard time agreeing with that now that I've reached the end. While I was compelled to keep watching over the course of the series, it began to fall apart and, by the end, did not work at all. Here are the issues I had with the ending of The Survivors: The Survivors The end result of all this is…a young girl died in a cave because of the tide. Two boys died in a storm. A girl was murdered because there was a remote chance she might find where the girl died. This isn't satisfying, I'm sorry. This seemed a lot more interesting than it eventually ended up being, and I wouldn't recommend this over, say, Secrets We Keep or Dept. Q on Netflix. Watch those instead. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.
Metro
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
New Netflix show with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score racks up 23 million views
Sophie-May Williams Published June 2, 2025 3:22pm Link is copied Comments After a busy weekend enjoying the sunshine, you might fancy taking your Monday to Friday evenings a little slower. Specifically, curling up on the sofa after work with a cup of coffee and some quality TV. If this sounds like your perfect way to relax, we've got just the thing for you: a binge-worthy new Netflix drama that has just received a no-notes 100% Rotten Tomatoes score, with 23 million views since it dropped on the platform (Picture: Netflix) Secrets We Keep is a Netflix original Danish mystery thriller, starring Marie Bach Hansen, Excel Busano, and Danica Ćurčić, to name a few. Without giving too much away, it taps into the twisted world of the wealthy - similar to shows like The White Lotus, Perfect Strangers and Sirens - while maintaining a more realistic edge. In a little more detail, viewers watch Cecilie, a rich executive living in an affluent Copenhagen suburb, search for Ruby, a missing au pair from the Philippines. When Ruby suddenly vanishes without a trace, Cecilie becomes suspicious, convinced that sinister circumstances are at play. Especially when the police don't make the case a priority (Picture: Netflix) When Cecilie fails to spark interest from the authorities, she decides to take matters into her own hands and search for Ruby. Alongside her own au pair, Angel, who is close friends with Ruby, the amateur investigators soon uncover dark family secrets - some of which are a little too close to home for Cecilie, who is forced to confront the people she thought were her family and friends. At its core, Secrets We Keep is a deep dive into a missing person's case involving the ultra-wealthy who, because they have all the money in the world, think that they can get away with the darkest of crimes. While the show isn't based on a true story, it does showcase Denmark's au pair culture (Picture: Netflix) Ingeborg Topsøe, the show's creator, went into detail about this aspect with Netflix's Tudum. She said: 'I've always been fascinated by the power structures within a family. Few people associate Denmark with such 'Upstairs, Downstairs' homes. Denmark is often portrayed as a very egalitarian society, and I've never seen homes like these portrayed on TV. Perhaps it's a reality we don't want to acknowledge the existence of …. Au pairs are "part of the family", while being employed, and parents are well-meaning, while absent. It's these cold, hard facts — hidden beneath a soft layer of niceness — that intrigues me' (Picture: Netflix) After watching the six-episode limited series, fans and critics alike have been raving about the quality of the show on Rotten Tomatoes. Joel Keller from Decider described it as a thriller that 'doesn't try to distract viewers by sending them down too many dead ends.' Rather, it 'tells a story about class, race and wealth in the process.' Juan Pablo Russo from EscribiendoCine said the series manages to 'naturally inject questions about privilege, the racialisation of domestic work, and individual responsibility in the face of systems that benefit some at the expense of others' (Picture: Netflix) Kshitij Rawat from Lifestyle Asia wrote that Secrets We Keep 'uses the familiar tropes of suburban mysteries (missing girls, tight-knit communities, smug rich people, pristine lawns hiding rotting secrets) but twists them into something far more intimate and morally disquieting.' Samuel R. Murrian, a critic from Collider, compared it to 'this year's most zeitgeisty hits Adolescence and The White Lotus.' However, the critic suggested that Topsøe and the actors 'handle its dark material even better' (Picture: Netflix) Pramit Chatterjee from Digital Mafia Talkies agreed, calling it 'essential viewing for all,' and a 'fantastic companion piece to Adolescence.' Finally, Archie Sengupta from said: 'Secrets We Keep holds on to your attention from the first episode, and its twists and turns are nothing short of thrilling' (Picture: Netflix) It wasn't just critics showering the show with faultless reviews, either. The Popcornmeter, which houses viewer testimonials, received a respectable 76%. With over 100+ ratings, it was described as 'one of the best mystery productions in years,' and 'brilliant in every way.' Other notable reviews included: 'An emotional drama that clearly depicts the power of the ultra-wealthy and their shameless treatment of those hired to serve them.' Plus, another labelled it 'one of the most thought-provoking, brutally realistic, and emotionally gripping series I've ever seen' (Picture: Netflix) Possible Secrets We Keep spoilers ahead: Many commended the ending as well. Usually, viewers can be quite harsh when it comes to finales, often dubbing them as frustrating or lazy. However, Secrets We Keep experienced the opposite, demanding attention right until the very end. Perhaps the most thought-provoking comment in this respect comes from a viewer called Chris, who said: 'It's an amazing story with an ending that will blow you away. In truth the ending is the biggest problem with the series because it ended the way a story like this would end in real life. It's heartbreakingly honest and real' (Picture: Netflix) As for the negative reviews? They're far and few between. The majority aren't even that bad, either, just a few complaints that the perpetrators didn't get what they deserved. But if you want to make that call for yourself, we only have one suggestion: cancel your viewing plans and watch Secrets We Keep instead. By the fan and critics' reaction so far, you won't regret it. Secrets We Keep is now streaming on Netflix (Picture: Netflix)
IOL News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Missing nanny reveals sinister secrets: discover the dark side of wealth in 'Secrets We Keep'
Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen) with her neighbour and best friend Katarina in a scene from '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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 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.
The National
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Why Netflix show Secrets We Keep is being compared to global hit Adolescence
A new Netflix drama, which follows two wealthy Danish families as they deal with the fallout from a missing Filipina au pair, is being compared by fans to Adolescence – the global hit that put a spotlight on incel culture and toxic masculinity. Secrets We Keep, a six-part limited series in Danish, premiered on May 15 and has struck a chord with viewers for its gripping pacing and unflinching look at racism and Denmark's au pair culture. The show, whose Danish title is Reservatet, has been viewed more than 10.3 million times since its debut and is currently the No 1 non-English show in more than 28 countries. The show follows Cecilie (Marie Bach Hansen), a wealthy executive, whose neighbour's maid Ruby (Donna Levkovski) suddenly goes missing. After realising that her obscenely rich neighbours do not seem too bothered about their au pair's disappearance, Cecilie increasingly grows concerned. Her suspicion and investigation then eventually leads her close to home. Hit British show Adolescence broke Netflix viewership records, with many praising it for its technical achievement – each of the four episodes is shot in one take – and for tackling issues about toxic masculinity. While Adolescence centres around a 13-year-old boy being accused of murdering his classmate, a girl, Secrets We Keep is meant to be a thriller. But it also tackles several issues, from class divide to racism and spotlights the ramifications of an increasing number of young Danes being raised by foreigners. Like many of the wealthy families in the show, Cecilie and her husband Mike (Simon Sears) also employ a Filipina au pair Angel (Excel Busano), whose primary job is to take care of their toddler. Angel is also close to Ruby, their neighbour's au pair, who later goes missing. While Cecilie and Mike adore Angel, who in-turn seems to enjoy living with the family, Cecilie increasingly gets frustrated after noticing their pre-teen son Viggo's (Lukas Zuperka) attachment to Angel. Meant to be sort of a cultural exchange, under Denmark's au pair scheme, foreign nationals can live with a Danish family for up to two years where they learn the culture and language while contributing to the household. In return, au pairs are entitled to receive pocket money monthly as well as boarding and lodging. A large majority of au pairs in Denmark are Filipinos. Despite essentially being housemaids, they are not officially recognised as labour migrants and therefore are not protected by labour laws. No. Creator and co-writer Ingeborg Topsoe said she was fascinated by the power structures within a family. "Denmark is often portrayed as a very egalitarian society, and I've never seen homes like these portrayed on TV," she said. "Perhaps it's a reality we don't want to acknowledge the existence of. "Au pairs are 'part of the family', while being employed, and parents are well-meaning, while absent. It's these cold, hard facts, hidden beneath a soft layer of niceness, that intrigues me.' Secrets We Keep is now streaming on Netflix
