We Were the Lucky Ones review: A heartening story of Holocaust survival

Diving into a TV series, film, or documentary centered around the Holocaust is always a solemn decision. These narratives, while crucial, often evoke profound anguish. Hulu’s latest limited series, “We Were the Lucky Ones,” delves into the harrowing journey of a Polish family torn apart by World War II. Despite its heavy subject matter, this gripping series, adapted from Georgia Hunter’s novel, offers not only enlightenment but also a deeply rewarding experience.

Set in 1938 Radom, Poland, the narrative revolves around Halina Kurc (portrayed by Joey King), a young woman living with her family. Amidst the anticipation of Passover, Halina’s parents, Sol (Lior Ashkenazi) and Nechuma (Robin Weigert), eagerly await the return of their son Addy (Logan Lerman), a musician residing in Paris. The Kurc family thrives, owning a prosperous fabric store while their children pursue promising careers. However, looming fears of Hitler’s expanding influence and anti-Semitic sentiments across Europe begin to encroach upon their once vibrant lives. Despite reassurances from her brother Genek (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) that “Radom is not Germany,” the ominous cloud of uncertainty grows ever darker.

His hopeful outlook, in hindsight, proved to be unfounded. The series premiere, penned by showrunner Erica Lipez (known for her work on “The Morning Show” and “Bates Motel”), meticulously constructs an atmosphere of impending doom. Scenes depict a Jewish man with a bruised eye puffing on a cigarette outside a Radom café, and a figure strolling through Paris wearing a government-issued gas mask, highlighting the escalating perils engulfing the continent. Before the episode concludes, the German invasion of Poland thrusts the Kurc family into a relentless nightmare lasting years.

Drawing inspiration from the real-life experiences of Hunter’s ancestors, “We Were the Lucky Ones” embarks on a sprawling narrative journey. It delves into how the horrors of the Nazi regime transcended the confines of concentration camps, revealing that survival offered no respite from the atrocities. Sol, Nechuma, Mila, and her daughter (portrayed by Artemisia Pagliano) are uprooted from their home and coerced into grueling factory labor. Meanwhile, Halina and Bella (played by Eva Feiler), Jakob’s girlfriend, undertake a perilous journey to Soviet-occupied Lvov in search of him. Genek and his wife, Herta (portrayed by Moran Rosenblatt), find themselves consigned to a harsh work camp under brutal Russian control. As for Addy, his attempt to escape to Brazil results in him becoming ensnared in Nazi-aligned Dakar, sealing his fate in the heart of darkness.

In spite of the diverse challenges they face, each member of the Kurc family lives under the constant shadow of death: from pogroms and mass shootings to hunger, grueling labor, and the relentless cruelty of SS soldiers. Yet, “Lucky Ones” also underscores the silent agony inherent in the daily struggle for survival. “You must smile more when Germans crack jokes,” Halina admonishes Mila, urging them to conceal their true identities. “No trace of Jewish sorrow! If our faces mirror our inner pain, we might as well reveal ourselves.” Despite the deepening torment they endure with each passing day, the Kurc family resists the Nazis’ malevolence by steadfastly refusing to surrender to it. “Faith is a decision,” asserts Herta. “It’s an act of determination.” This recurring theme, echoing through countless other accounts of Holocaust survival, lends a semblance of hope amidst the tragedy depicted in “Lucky Ones.”