A gentleman in Moscow

Watching A Gentleman in Moscow unfold week by week was a truly unique experience. I went into the show knowing nothing about its story, and honestly, that made the journey all the more magical. There’s something special about discovering a world for the first time, and as I watched the episodes release, I found myself increasingly captivated by the story, the setting, and, of course, the characters.   

The show centers around Count Alexander Rostov, a Russian aristocrat who, after losing all his wealth, is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel. The plot may seem simple on the surface, but the way it explores the complexities of life, loss, and personal growth within the confines of this hotel made it deeply immersive. I’ve often found myself imagining what it would be like to be in the Count’s shoes—stripped of everything, forced to live within a single building for the rest of your life. What would go through my head? What kind of person would I become?

The setting of the show was one of its most striking aspects for me. The hotel, with its opulent décor and old-world charm, became almost like a character in itself. It was a place where time seemed to stand still, yet the world outside was rapidly changing. It captured the tumultuous history of Russia, especially during the early years of the Soviet Union, in a way that felt both intimate and grand. Every room, every corner of the hotel, had its own story to tell, and it made me feel as though I were living in this world with the Count, experiencing the highs and lows of his existence right alongside him.

What truly brought the show to life, however, was the incredible cast, and in particular, Ewan McGregor. I’ve always been a fan of his work, but in this role, he truly shone. His portrayal of Count Rostov was nothing short of perfect—he embodied the character with grace, wit, and a subtle vulnerability that made the Count’s journey incredibly compelling. McGregor’s performance made it easy to believe in Rostov’s transformation, and he brought a depth to the character that made me care about him from start to finish.

Beyond the character-driven drama, A Gentleman in Moscow is also a reflection on resilience, the passage of time, and the ways in which we cope with loss. The Count’s ability to adapt to his new life, find purpose, and build relationships within the hotel made me think about my own life in ways I hadn’t before. If I lost everything, how would I survive? What would I cling to? The show explores these themes in such a thoughtful and nuanced way that I often found myself contemplating the bigger questions of life.

As someone who’s a big fan of period dramas set in the USSR, A Gentleman in Moscow was the perfect blend of history, personal storytelling, and rich character development. It reminded me of why I love this genre so much. It’s a bit like The Death of Stalin, which is one of my all-time favorite comedies—both shows dive into the intricacies of life in the Soviet Union, but in very different ways. While The Death of Stalin offers sharp, dark humor, A Gentleman in Moscow is more contemplative, focusing on the personal journey of a man trying to make sense of his new reality in a rapidly changing world.

One of the more amusing aspects of the Count’s transformation throughout the series is his moustache. Early on, it’s a symbol of his aristocratic status—well-groomed and pristine, reflecting the sophistication of his former life. But as time passes, and as Rostov’s circumstances change, so too does his moustache. It begins to grow a bit more unruly, mirroring his emotional and physical adaptation to his new life in the hotel. At one point, it becomes a symbol of his rebellion against the Soviet authorities and a subtle mark of his determination to retain some semblance of his dignity despite the overwhelming circumstances. Watching the evolution of his moustache was oddly symbolic of his transformation from a man of privilege to someone who, though stripped of his wealth, maintains an inner resilience. It was a small but powerful detail that added to the show’s depth and the Count’s personal journey.

Now, as I reflect on the show, I often find myself imagining what it would be like to live in that hotel, like the Count, surrounded by the same walls day after day. Would I become more at peace with the passage of time, or would I eventually yearn for freedom? A Gentleman in Moscow has left me with more questions than answers, but that’s what makes it such a remarkable show. It’s a journey I’m grateful to have experienced, and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.