The White Lotus

NZ release: 03 October 2022

Violence, offensive language, drug use & sex scenes Rated on: 17 February 2025

The White Lotus, Season 1

white lotus s1 poster

What’s it about?

On what was supposed to be a relaxing one-week vacation, guests at an exclusive Hawaiian resort become entangled in a string of dark secrets and a series of twisted events.

The facts

  • Created, written and directed by Mike White
  • Stars Murray Bartlett, Conie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandria Daddario, Fred Hichinger, Jake Lacy, Natasha Rotehrwell, and Syndney Sweeney
  • English language
  • Runtime: 6 episodes, each around 1 hour long

Why did it get this rating?

This series was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office. You can find out more about classification process and ratings here.

Drug use

Characters are shown using multiple prescription and illegal drugs including Adderall, Xanax, Ambien Ketamine, and Marijuana.

Two characters have a stash of drugs, some of which they consume recreationally before losing it at the beach. The stash is later discovered by hotel staff who go on a Ketamine-fuelled “bender” over several days, mistaking the drug for Cocaine.

Offensive language

This series has occasional offensive language including f**k, s**t, c**t and bitch.

Sex scenes

There are a few sex scenes, some of which involve breast and buttock nudity and moaning.

A hotel manager coerces a staff member to have sex with him, offering them better shifts and time off as a bribe. They are later shown having sex, and at one point someone walks in on them engaging in oral sexual acts.

Violence

Characters get into a fight, which ends in a man’s face getting beaten.

The season begins with a focus on a person who has died at the resort, which leaves viewers wondering who it is until the end.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

Further information

Recent featured decisions

30 May 2019

He iti te whakarekereke

E whakahokia mai ai ōna whenua, ka whakaae a Shrek ki te whakaora i a Pirihini Fiona, mā Tā Farquaad, te tangata kiriweti ki te mahi pohewa, engari ka taupuhi ia ki te Pirinihi i runga i tana haerenga.

Read more

24 February 2025

Sexual violence, cruelty and offensive language

While recovering from a stroke in a nursing home, a former judge discovers that one of the residents is terrorising the home with a child's puppet called Jenny Pen.

Read more