HBO’s new miniseries The Sympathizer aims to rectify decades of cinematic one-sidedness in depictions of the Vietnam War. The series, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel, adopts a Vietnamese perspective of the conflict, highlighting the experiences of refugees and the complexities of their struggle.
Sandra Oh, who stars in the recurring role of Sofia Mori, emphasizes the vital shift in perspective: “This perspective has been missing for 50 years.” This echoes a key theme of the novel – the way narratives of the Vietnam War have been framed for American audiences, often focusing on the American experience and largely neglecting the Vietnamese point of view. The Sympathizer challenges that trend head-on with its majority-Vietnamese cast and crew, ensuring that the experiences and emotions of the Vietnamese people are central to the story.
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The series’ dedication to authenticity is a point of pride. Sandra Oh highlights how actors like co-star Duy Nguyen embody the ability to “metabolize very, very deep, painful stories on behalf of many people.” The inclusion of the Vietnamese language and culture in The Sympathizer was a “dream” for Nguyen, illustrating the cast and crew’s shared sense of responsibility to represent the culture accurately and respectfully: “[We] all felt this responsibility to make this the best that it could be, because we finally have a moment to shine,” he explains.
The series follows the protagonist known simply as “The Captain” (Hoa Xuande). A spy for the Viet Cong, he is sent on a dangerous mission even after the war is declared over, forcing him into exile. He must continue reporting on exiled Vietnamese communities in America. Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of various manipulative American figures adds another layer to the story, serving as a powerful commentary on the ways institutions shaped the Vietnam War narrative.
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Despite the serious subject matter, The Sympathizer promises to be a unique blend of black comedy and spy thriller. Co-star Hoa Xuande emphasizes this duality: “It’s really nice to finally see a story that’s led by a Vietnamese cast…These stories that [audiences are] about to see are just as devastating, just as riveting, just as traumatic, but also just as exciting and wonderful and funny.”
The story is particularly resonant for actress Kieu Chinh, who fled the Viet Cong twice; first relocating within Vietnam and later to America. Her experience, echoed in the lives of countless refugees, drives “The Sympathizer”‘s commitment to uncovering untold stories and reminding audiences of the devastating consequences of war. “So many stories have not been told,” Chinh says, “We should make history alive again to remind people what [cruelty] war has made.”
The Sympathizer promises to be an unflinching, satirical, and at times absurd look at the legacy of the Vietnam War. This complex perspective offers a powerful and long-overdue shift in the way the conflict is portrayed.
The Sympathizer premieres on HBO & Max on April 14th.
