The Hunting Wives is a Netflix original thriller that centers on Sophie (Brittany Snow) entering a group of wealthy Texas socialites, only to learn about the dark secrets they are hiding. The show’s initial season was a hit on the streaming service, leading to a second season being announced earlier this September.
To describe the show in one word: over-the-top. Whether this is a good or bad thing is entirely in the eye of the beholder. If you want a show that feels like an intense whirl of fictional gossip, then you may find something to like. Others may feel that keeping up with all the debauchery is draining.
Sophie Enters a Dark World
The show officially gets going when Sophie encounters the eccentric but mysterious Margo (Malin Akerman). Margo quickly draws her into her seemingly cultish inner circle.
Much of the show centers on the sexual tension between Margo and Sophie, as the two enter an intense relationship with one another. Oh, also, there’s a murder mystery.
Without going through specific plot points, the show is a series of shocking reveals, affairs, and cover-ups. As Sophie attempts to navigate her new social sphere, she not only discovers various signs of the group’s wrongdoings—she herself starts to get her hands dirty. Eventually (spoiler warning), she even commits a murder of her own.
The Genre of Shocking Mom Shows
The Hunting Wives is seen as part of the larger genre of shows centered on outwardly normal mothers hiding some form of dark secret. Some sources, like the NY Post, compared it to Desperate Housewives and Good Girls.
Like many of these other shows, the appeal of The Hunting Wives is largely tied to its scandalous nature. It is notable for its ultra-bizarre moments. One example is a scene where a group of women, clad in fancy dresses, cheerfully execute a wild boar.
Many of the show’s sexual moments are also seemingly designed to catch the viewer off guard. For instance, an opening scene where Margo randomly strips naked, to the surprise of Sophie and the viewer. This theme of shocking the audience continues through the show’s steamiest moments, often throwing curveballs at viewers when they least expect it.
Still, the abundance of surprises could be seen as both the show’s biggest strength and its biggest weakness, as much of its appeal relies on maintaining a high “gasp-per-minute” ratio. For many viewers, this may get tiresome quickly. Although for those seeking this exact brand of sleaze, it would be hard to find a better recommendation.
Whether the second season will try to outdo the first remains to be seen. What can be said with some certainty is that it will continue the arcs of Sophie and Margo, leaving viewers to wonder what other secrets are yet to be revealed.
Editorial Note: Portions of this article were reviewed and refined using AI-assisted editing tools to support grammar, clarity, and style. All content has been fact-checked and approved by our editorial team.
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