Nine Perfect Strangers – Zauberwald

By: Malasha Parker

Masha (Nicole Kidman) is in a dressing room backstage preparing to go talk to an audience. She looks distressed, but enters the stage to cheers and adds her own joke about having many lawsuits currently up against her. Masha then begins to introduce a new psychedelic proprietary device that allows patients to revisit specific memories and experience them as if it is the first time.The product hasn’t been tested yet. Masha tells the audience that she used the drug to connect with her dead daughter and was able to see her because of the use of her drugs. However, when the moderator asks if she is still seeing her daughter, Masha says no, but then looks to the side and sees her daughter sitting in the corner smiling and waving at her. An audience member asks a question about how she learned about the innovative therapies. She tells them about meeting a doctor in Bavaria whom she owes her career and life to.

The same man, Martin (Lucas Englander), meets her backstage and lets Masha know that an offer is still available. He tries to persuade her more after she gets served more papers to come to Bavaria where there is no reception or roads. Masha decides to go, saying, “I would like to see her, too.”

Masha is in the middle of a show covered land where we see her walking and gathering triangular-bulbed plants from the ground. She walks up to the retreat in Zuberwald where Helena (Lena Olin) is directing movers on where to take everything to prepare the house for the new people. Masha and Martin are in a lab below the house testing the plants that she picked up. Martin tells her she was brought to the house to bring her art and passion. He accuses her of being defensive after she throws his own words back at him. He reminds her about not upping the drug dosage, administering it without consent or dosing herself and not to lock anyone up. 

Everything is still being prepared in the house as Martin begins to walk around and secure the hidden cameras are all in place. 

Peter (Henry Golding) is camping and recounting his last trip. He tells them he’s going to a rustic cabin when Martin pulls up to take him to Zauberwald. Brian (Murray Bartlett) is on a lift to Zauberwald in a lift with Imogen (Annie Murphy). She exits the lift and during the commotion of getting out of her way to do so, Brian leaves his baggage on it. He lets out a blood curdling scream and then proceeds to have a tantrum. Masha and Helena watch from the house through the video feed. Masha chastises her about needing to open the house to strangers because of bankruptcy. Brian asks about another guest that is supposed to be accompanying him, but the driver was only instructed to pick him up. Brian has to wait for it to come around again, before he is able to retrieve his belongings. He grabs them after Wolfie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) and Tina (King Princess) exit the cart. When Brian makes it to the bridge, Agnes (Dolly De Leon) is standing on it and asks if he needs any help. One of Brian’s bags is missing. Agnes grabs all of his bags and they begin to make their way to the house. 

Imogen makes her observations around the house while re-stating some information she has learned about the psychedelic drug and the information on Masha that she knows. Martin tells her to try not to bring preconceived notions into the house for a better experience. Victoria (Christine Baranski) arrives at the compound with her young boyfriend, Matteo (Aras Aydin). It is noted that this is not her first visit to the retreat. Imogen lingers in the corner waiting before she presents herself to Victoria. Imogen notices Victoria’s cane and seems suspicious of why she is using it. Imogen is not fond of her mother’s lover. As Masha and Helena watch over the live videos, Masha tells her that Matteo has to stay because he is a part of the plan. 

Imogen lets her frustrations be known to her mother and Matteo about having to share a room with them. Her and her mother are supposed to be working through their relationship together, but instead, Imogen believes Matteo has been brought as her mother’s human shield. Victoria lists off the issues Imogen has with their relationship and storms out of the room to get a separate room. 

Wolfie and Tina arrive at their room. While looking around, Tina spots a piano and Wolfie says she’ll ask for it to be removed. After discussing that they don’t have any immediate plans, the two begin to kiss on the bed. Tina stops them before it gets too far to escape to the bathroom. Tina tells Wolfie that it is to clean up but actually enters the bathroom and turns on the water so Wolfie can’t hear her stress.

Peter and Imogen meet outside the house as they are both looking for cell service. Wolfie runs into Agnes outside the house and learns she used to be a nun. The people working at the house have been bowing to her and Wolfie was curious. Wolfie expresses how she wants to be more like Agnes, but Agnes quickly disagrees with that notion. 

It’s time for dinner and everyone begins to gather downstairs. Peter stops by the front desk to ask if his father has called, but there has been no sign of him yet. He examines the interesting pictures on the wall as he makes his way down the hall. They show strange images of people in hospital beds with injuries and receiving procedures. Peter sees Imogen at the bar and the two begin to discuss not drinking before protocol starts. Imogen inquires about his roommate and learns his dad was supposed to arrive. While the two talk, Masha circles the name David Sharpe on newspaper articles. Martin joins Peter and Imogen advising them on not taking pictures of other guests. Victoria and Matteo then enter the room, followed by Agnes and Brian– who apologizes for his behavior towards Agnes and still believes she is an employee of the house. Wolfie and Tina spark up a conversation with Brian. It is here that they say they are musicians. Masha enters the house to greet everyone and tells them they cannot begin protocol before Peter arrives. Tina asks what is happening and Masha tells the group that the retreat is a “cleansing of the mind.” Everyone begins to have conversations and some are more charged than others. Wolfie wants to use the retreat to help clear Tina’s blocks about playing the piano. Tina storms out of the room. Brian asks for a refund, but Martin tells everyone to calm down for the night. 

Helena arrives at Masha’s room demanding to know why David Sharpe is coming to the house. Masha says she’s using him because they are in a dire financial situation. Eleanor tries to get her to remain in the present and not repeat past mistakes. 

Wolfie plays the piano downstairs where some of the guests are still gathered. Peter tells Imogen that he heard Victoria and Matteo in their room when he went to find Imogen. Imogen makes subtle suggestions about staying with Peter because she can’t stay in the room with her mother. Wolfie leaves with a smirk on her face and returns to the room. Tina is already in the bath. Brian locates his bag and demands it is kept safe until he can retrieve it. Agnes lays down to go to bed and the audience sees her lying on the floor instead of in the bed. 

Masha is lying in bed when her daughter is seen on the other side of her. She’s whispering things into her ears and it begins to stress Masha out. 

David makes his way to his car from a long dinner. His driver seems unconvinced that he will enjoy the wellness retreat, but David is intrigued and says, “Maybe, it’ll turn me into a better person.”