What is the unique approach used in Hulu's "Paradise" series?

The creators of "Paradise" deliberately embraced an artificial, studio-based setting to evoke a sense of unease and trap viewers in the show's world.

How did composer Siddhartha Khosla's score contribute to the atmosphere of "Paradise"?

Khosla's score aimed to create a tonal bed that would literally trap viewers in the show's world, using extended periods of minimal, unmoving music to heighten the sense of tension and dread.

What made the "The Day" episode of "Paradise" stand out?

The penultimate episode of Season 1, "The Day," directed by John Requa and Glen Ficarra, revealed the full context of how the characters ended up in the extraordinary situation depicted in the series. By keeping the camera at eye level and incorporating news footage, the directors were able to convey a sense of immediacy and visceral impact, even on a television budget.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Hulu's "Paradise" Blends Realism and Surrealism in Gripping Thriller

Hulu's "Paradise" Blends Realism and Surrealism in Gripping Thriller

12 Nov

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Summary

Creators embraced an artificial, studio-based setting to evoke a sense of unease
Composer Siddhartha Khosla's score aimed to trap viewers in the show's world
Flashback episode "The Day" showcased the epic scale of the series' events

Hulu's "Paradise" Blends Realism and Surrealism in Gripping Thriller

In November 2025, Hulu's Emmy-nominated series "Paradise" continues to captivate audiences with its unique approach to storytelling. Created by Dan Fogelman, the show premiered earlier this year and has been praised for its uncanny tone.

According to the series' directors, John Requa and Glen Ficarra, they initially struggled to find the right balance between realism and the show's heightened premise. Ultimately, they decided to embrace the artificiality of a studio-based setting, smoothing out the concrete and introducing subtle flaws in the sky to create a sense of unease. As editor Julia Grove explains, this aesthetic choice was a deliberate effort to distract viewers from overthinking the show's premise and instead immerse them in the story.