What I Learned About Storytelling from Watching 'The Residence'

I've been thinking a lot lately about storytelling structure. About how we build narratives, layer them, and ultimately deliver them to audiences. And sometimes, the most instructive examples come from shows that take big swings whether they connect fully or not.

Netflix's "The Residence" has been living in my head rent-free since I binged it last weekend. For those who haven't watched, it's this bizarre murder mystery set in the White House, where Uzo Aduba plays a detective investigating a body found during a state dinner. The show blends dark comedy, political intrigue, and whodunit elements in ways I found both fascinating and occasionally frustrating.

Here's the thing I don't think it entirely works. But the reason why it doesn't entirely work has taught me more about storytelling than a dozen perfectly executed shows might have.

First, there's the tone. "The Residence" attempts something incredibly difficult: maintaining multiple tonal frequencies simultaneously. It wants to be a serious murder mystery, a biting political satire, and an absurdist comedy often within the same scene. When it clicks, it's brilliant. When it doesn't, you can almost hear the narrative gears grinding.

As someone who's struggled with balancing tones in my own work, watching the show's high-wire act was like attending a masterclass in what to do and occasionally what not to do. The lesson isn't "don't try to balance multiple tones" but rather "if you're going to try this risky move, you need to establish clear rules for your audience."

Second, there's character development. The show introduces a sprawling cast of White House staffers, political figures, and guests. Some receive detailed backstories and motivations; others remain delightfully enigmatic. This uneven approach actually works in the show's favor, creating a sense that any character might be hiding something important.

I've often fallen into the trap of feeling I need to fully develop every character who appears on screen. "The Residence" reminded me that sometimes, strategic mysteriousness can be more effective than comprehensive exposition.

The show's most impressive achievement, for me, is how it uses its murder mystery framework not just as a plot device, but as a lens through which to examine power dynamics, racial tensions, and the strange ecosystem of the White House itself. The investigation isn't just about solving a crime it's about peeling back layers of an institution.

This is something I want to incorporate more into my own work: using genre elements not just as structural tools but as metaphorical frameworks that can carry additional thematic weight.

"The Residence" also makes bold choices with its pacing sometimes lingering in uncomfortable moments, sometimes rushing through revelations. While this occasionally feels jarring, it creates a viewing experience that keeps you off-balance in a way that mirrors the characters' disorientation.

I'm not saying the show is perfect, far from it. But its ambition, its willingness to take risks, to potentially alienate viewers in pursuit of something distinctive, these are qualities I deeply admire. In an era of algorithmically-designed entertainment, there's something refreshing about a show that feels like it's following a creative vision rather than a formula.

The biggest lesson I'm taking away is about creative courage. When "The Residence" fails, it fails because it's reaching for something unusual, something that hasn't been done quite this way before. And in those failures, I can see the outline of what they were attempting more clearly than I can in many "successful" shows that play it safe.

As storytellers, isn't that what we should be doing? Reaching beyond the comfortable, beyond the proven formulas, even if it means sometimes falling short? I'd rather create something imperfect but distinctive than something polished but forgettable.

I'm curious if any of you have watched "The Residence" and what you thought of its storytelling approach. Did the tonal shifts work for you? Were you invested in solving the mystery, or more interested in the character dynamics?

Let me know in the comments. I'm genuinely interested in how other storytellers and story-lovers experienced this unusual show.

Netflix's The Residence starring Uzo Aduba