We Were the Lucky Ones

Review: We Were the Lucky Ones (2024)

Score: 9/10

We Were the Lucky Ones is not just another Holocaust drama; it is a monumental, profoundly moving, and masterfully crafted epic of family and survival. Based on Georgia Hunter's bestselling novel about her own family, the series follows the sprawling Kurc family, Polish Jews scattered across continents by the cataclysm of World War II. It transcends the genre by focusing relentlessly on the intricate, desperate threads of love and sheer will that bind them, making for one of the most emotionally resonant and humanising television events of the year.

What Works Brilliantly:

• A Masterclass in Intimate Epic Storytelling: The series’ genius lies in its scale and focus. It is epic in geography—spanning ghettos in Poland, frozen labor camps in Siberia, the forests of Partisan fighters, and the shores of Brazil—yet intimately personal in every scene. We don't just witness history; we experience it through the desperate ingenuity of a son forging documents, the calculated risk of a daughter passing as Christian, and the agonising silence between letters.
• Exceptional Ensemble Cast: The entire cast is extraordinary, each actor fully embodying their character's unique fight for dignity and connection. Joey King delivers a career-best performance as Halina, transforming from a spirited young woman into a steely, determined survivor. Logan Lerman is heartbreakingly good as the thoughtful Addy, navigating the war from a distant shore with guilt and hope. The ensemble, including Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Hadas Yaron, and Amit Rahav, creates a family dynamic so authentic that every separation feels like an amputation and every rumour of survival feels like a lifeline.
• Tone of Tenacious Hope: While unflinchingly portraying the brutality and randomness of the era, the series is ultimately defined by a powerful, tenacious hope. The title is a haunting, recurring motif—not a statement of fortune, but a testament to the grotesque lottery of survival and the family's ferocious commitment to being counted among those who live. It manages to be devastating without being despairing.

Why It’s Not a 10:

• The Narrative's Inherent Challenge: The very nature of the story—following five+ separate storylines across the globe—can occasionally create a slight emotional disconnect when jumping between them. Some threads are so compelling you resent leaving them, even to check in on another beloved character.
• A Pacing of Perseverance: The series mirrors the long, grinding ordeal of survival. Its pacing is deliberate, immersing you in the day-by-day struggle, which, while powerful, requires a significant emotional investment from the viewer.

Verdict:

We Were the Lucky Ones is a breathtaking achievement. It is a necessary, beautifully acted, and impeccably produced testament to the human spirit's resilience. More than a history lesson, it is a gripping family saga that makes the abstract enormity of "six million" painfully, personally real by showing the one family fighting within it. It is a heavy but essential watch, leaving you emotionally spent yet profoundly grateful for the reminder of what love can endure.

Watch if: You appreciate profound historical dramas, masterful ensemble acting, and stories about familial love and resilience against impossible odds. Skip if: You are seeking light entertainment or are currently in a headspace that cannot handle sustained, heavy emotional material. This is a commitment of the heart.