Creator Park Chan-wook and writer Don McKellar debut gripping series exploring espionage and identity in aftermath of Vietnam War, with an ensemble cast led by Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr.
“The Sympathizer” is a seven-part miniseries created by director Park Chan-wook and writer Don McKellar, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel. It premiered on May 27, 2024, on Sky and streaming service NOW. Set after the US war in Vietnam, the series follows The Captain (played by Hoa Xuande), a spy in the American-backed police force secretly reporting to the communist Viet Cong. After the fall of Saigon, he flees to the US as a refugee, continuing his double life under the scrutiny of a paranoid General (Toan Le).
Robert Downey Jr. takes on four distinct roles, including a CIA handler, a college professor, a congressman, and a filmmaker. Sandra Oh also stars, delivering a layered performance as Sofia Mori, a Japanese-American secretary involved with The Captain. The series features inventive transitions and a compelling narrative exploring cultural and internal conflicts.