The Sympathizer: Hoa Xuande Shines Bright in a Twisty, Ambitious Spy Tale

If you can outshine Robert Downey Jr., you know you're dealing with a special kind of talent. Hoa Xuande crushes it as the lead in The Sympathizer. He completely disappears into the role, playing a conflicted double agent with charisma, nuance, and emotional depth. His American accent is flawless—you’d never guess he’s Australian.

Hoa’s performance is magnetic; he captures the character’s internal struggles with a perfect balance of charm and anguish. Robert Downey Jr., meanwhile, does great work portraying multiple characters, each distinct enough that it’s easy to forget it’s the same actor. Some of his personalities hit harder than others, but overall, his chameleon-like performances add an interesting layer to the show.

The supporting cast is also fantastic, fleshing out the world with strong, layered performances. The show's main flaws lie in some of its creative storytelling choices. The frequent timeline switches and alternate endings can sometimes be disorienting. While they serve a thematic purpose, they occasionally make the narrative feel choppy and confusing. Some comedic moments, particularly ones involving Downey’s more exaggerated characters, didn’t land for me either. They felt a bit out of place tonally.

Despite these issues, the interactions between the Vietnamese characters were handled with care and authenticity. The writing is sharp, often insightful, and captures the complicated emotional landscape of the story. The Sympathizer is an entertaining, sometimes challenging watch that rewards patience with some truly captivating performances.