HOMECOMING. A Simply Outstanding Conspiracy Thriller

The year 2018 was a true bounty of outstanding series. Fans of episodic storytelling have plenty to choose from—indeed, it is difficult to find time even to sample a portion of this televisual wealth. One more title can be added to the list of must-watch shows: Homecoming starring Julia Roberts. It is an excellent, original series from which it is impossible to escape—you will want to watch it straight through to the end. Do not worry about sleepless nights, however—the entire season consists of ten episodes of around thirty minutes each.

Homecoming began as a radio podcast that enjoyed considerable popularity in 2016.

The decision to adapt it for television was greeted with enthusiasm, though there were significant concerns about whether the adaptation would succeed. However, once Sam Esmail—the creator of the hit Mr. Robot—and superstar Julia Roberts came on board, everyone felt confident. It was clear that the televised Homecoming would not be just any series. That expectation was fulfilled one hundred percent. It is truly an exceptional production that stands out among its peers.

We experience the story through the perspective of Heidi, a social worker who runs the Homecoming Transitional Support Center—a private facility designed to help soldiers return to normal life after deployment. She speaks with soldiers in what amounts to therapy sessions, attempting to reach them and guide them through their traumatic past experiences. Her boss, who is constantly calling her, sees things differently: Heidi is to collect as much information as possible about these young men’s service periods, evoking as many of their memories as she can. Why? That remains unknown.

The series does not focus solely on events at the Homecoming facility. From time to time, we are transported to the year 2022. By then, Heidi is working as a waitress in a run-down diner and living with her mother. One day, an inspector from the Department of Defense arrives to investigate a report from four years earlier: one of the soldiers under Heidi’s care, Walter Cruz, allegedly was held at Homecoming against his will. Heidi is unable to answer any of the inspector’s questions, claiming she remembers nothing.

I will refrain from revealing more, as it could spoil your enjoyment.

Homecoming intrigues, draws you in, and surprises. If Alfred Hitchcock were alive today and decided to create a series for Amazon, it would likely look just like this. Sam Esmail himself admits he was inspired by the master—not only in terms of plot, but also in filming style. This is not a production that one watches like an ordinary series. The camera choices and even the set designs are unconventional, somewhat defiant, yet they all contribute to a coherent, atmospheric whole.

I admit it took me some time to acclimatize to this atmosphere—it initially seemed too artificial, theatrical, intimate (after all, it was originally a radio podcast).

The creators, however, are resolute; one can see they had a concrete plan that they executed down to the smallest detail. By the third or fourth episode, I was completely sold. Both time-period strands interlock perfectly, and the narrative flows beautifully. You will want more. Although some on the internet label Homecoming a thriller, I find the term psychological drama more accurate. Admittedly, you are likely to feel chills while watching, but for reasons different from those usually experienced in front of a screen.

In this production, the characters are paramount, and casting the right actors was crucial. As far as the ensemble goes, Homecoming is flawless. Julia Roberts, of course, brings her own class—one could rest assured about her performance, although it was a new experience for her. Until now, we had never seen her in a leading role on the small screen; this debut is, however, hugely successful. The actress is convincing both as an idealist who loves her work and as a woman whose life has collapsed for reasons that remain unclear.

Stephan James is superb as the soldier with whom Heidi forms a special relationship, and the supporting cast—led by Bobby Cannavale, Sissy Spacek, and Shea Whigham—is equally strong. Whigham in particular, known to you perhaps from Boardwalk Empire, delivers a performance you will not soon forget.

Homecoming is a very good series that I wholeheartedly recommend. It turns out that thirty-minute episodes are not just for comedy. There is a perfect balance here. Remember to watch the final episode to the very end: there is one more scene after the credits.