A rich European society, an aspirational immigrant community, a class divide laced with racism, questionable parenting, and subtle sexist toxicity—all slowly stirred into one heady cocktail. That’s an apt description of Netflix’s Secrets We Keep, or as it’s originally titled in Danish, Reservatet. This gripping Danish drama weaves a complex tapestry of human flaws against the backdrop of Copenhagen’s elite, delivering a slow-burn mystery that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.
Set in the affluent Copenhagen neighbourhood of Reservatet—where sprawling villas boast manicured lawns and exclusive waterfront access—the show immerses us in a world of visible wealth and hidden ugliness. The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of Ruby, a Filipino au pair. For the uninitiated, an au pair is a young person from another country who lives with a host family, often treated as part of the family while assisting with childcare or household chores in exchange for a salary and cultural immersion. To South Asian audiences, this may resemble a domestic help arrangement, but here, the system is intended to emphasise cultural integration and equality, governed by strict regulations. Secrets We Keep lays bare the classist divide that persists beneath this idealised structure, exposing the flaws in both the system and the people within it.
As the investigation into Ruby’s disappearance unfolds, we’re drawn into the lives of two families and six distinct characters, each representing a facet of society: the moneyed elite, the callous opportunist, the hustler, the impressionable youth, the helpless bystander, and the one clinging to a fraying moral compass. The narrative evolves into a taut whodunnit, with skeletons tumbling from closets and fragments of decaying morality littering the pristine lawns of Reservatet. The show expertly peels back layers of privilege to reveal hypocrisy, prejudice, and buried secrets, prompting viewers to question the cost of maintaining appearances in an ostensibly perfect society.
The choice of Reservatet—evidently a real, upscale area in Copenhagen, as noted on the show’s IMDb page—grounds the story in a tangible setting. The neighbourhood’s opulence contrasts sharply with the moral decay of its residents, amplifying the show’s themes of inequality and deception. The cinematography reinforces this contrast, with lush visuals of waterfront villas undercut by claustrophobic interiors that mirror the characters’ inner turmoil.
The writing, led by Ingeborg Topsøe, stands out. Topsøe, known for female-driven narratives like Hannah, brings a sharp feminist lens to Secrets We Keep. The female characters—from Ruby to the mothers and daughters of the host families—are complex and flawed, their perspectives driving the story without ever feeling contrived. Topsøe’s script balances social commentary with character-driven drama, never tipping into preachiness.
Among the performances too, it is the women who steal the show, thanks to the rich material they are given to work with. Marie Bach Hansen is powerful in her portrayal, while Danica Curcic delivers a delightfully understated performance. Young Lukas Zuperka also puts in a solid turn, holding his own amidst seasoned performers. The ensemble cast as a whole delivers layered interpretations, capturing each character’s contradictions—be it the arrogance of wealth, the desperation of ambition, or the quiet rebellion against complicity.
The show isn’t without flaws. The pacing occasionally drags when a brisker thriller might have been expected, and some secondary characters are left underexplored, leaving a few questions unanswered. Yet these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise a compelling and richly textured narrative.
Secrets We Keep succeeds as both a mystery and a social critique. It holds a mirror to uncomfortable truths about class, race, and gender. It’s a show that lingers, inviting reflection long after the credits roll. For fans of noir or character-driven drama, this Danish gem is well worth your time.