Despicable rich people doing despicable things is a familiar idea. Netflix’s new show, Master of the House, takes this idea and presents it in a shocking way. It combines two popular themes to create something new and interesting.
The series starts with a plot similar to Knives Out, featuring drama and deception after the death of the family leader. This is mixed with intense family rivalry, much like in Succession. The characters constantly fight each other for the inheritance and are willing to do anything to get it.
Fans of both shows will enjoy this thriller, but it’s not for the faint of heart. It becomes a provocative story about ownership, with disturbing visuals that can be hard to watch. The show includes sexual assault, murder, and manipulation, presenting a graphic depiction of the characters’ extreme greed. Despite the disturbing content, the story ends in a very satisfying way.
‘Master of the House’s’ Unsettling Master-Servant Dynamic Between Runroj and Naimook
One of the first relationships we see in Master of the House is between Roongroj (Teerapong Leowrakwong), the head of the family, and his servant, Kaimook (Narilya Gulmongkolpech). Unlike other staff members, Roongroj values Kaimook’s opinion and shows her special attention.
This relationship is similar to the one between Harlan (Christopher Plummer) and Marta (Ana de Armas) in Knives Out. However, Master of the House takes it further by having Roongroj and Kaimook get married. A murder is necessary for the story, and in this case, it’s the death of the patriarch.
Like Knives Out, we see the mystery through the eyes of the maid, Kaimook. The rest of the family fights over the inheritance and reacts with shock to their shares. Kaimook is one of the few interested in solving the murder, while the police are ready to dismiss it as an accident.
As she searches for clues and camera footage, we meet several characters with strong motives. Despite the complex web of lies, Master of the House is filmed with a clear, precise style, using dark tones to match its serious content.
Roongroj’s relationship with Kaimook has a disturbing quality. While Harlan appreciates Marta’s honesty, Roongroj is attracted to Kaimook’s obedience and beauty. As we learn more about Roongroj’s harsh nature, their marriage seems like an extension of his control over her.
The show uses the motif of butterflies to illustrate Roongroj’s desire to possess beauty. He pins butterflies in a glass case, reflecting how he views Kaimook. There are scenes where Kaimook engages in this hobby after Roongroj’s death, suggesting they are not so different after all.
The show also features rivalries similar to those in Succession. The Thevasaitipaisarn family fights fiercely over Roongroj’s diamond company, Theva Gems. Before the will is even read, the brothers Phupat (Charttayodom Hiranyasthiti) and Mavin (Thanavate Siriwattanagul) are already making shady deals.
The family is willing to go to extreme lengths, including blackmail and incest, to gain control. This ruthless behavior, combined with graphic scenes of sexual assault, makes the show unsettling. The characters are unlikable and their actions repulsive, but this makes the ending more powerful and rewarding.
Master of the House explores possession in a chilling way. The characters’ actions are driven by their desire to own everything, from the inheritance to other people. They manipulate the facts of Roongroj’s death to serve their interests.
The show also depicts the servants’ lack of freedom and the extreme measures taken to control them. The brutal imagery is disturbing but effectively keeps the audience engaged. Master of the House combines elements from Knives Out and Succession into a gripping story about power and ownership, ending with a powerful conclusion.
Master of the House is available to stream now on Netflix in the U.S.
