After the mass layoffs that have continued to increase under the Trump administration, the reality of poverty is closer than ever before for many Americans. The past few years have seen an increase in the number of people experiencing housing insecurity with almost 40% of the United States population in 2023. While the term “homelessness” has negative connotations and stereotypes attached, the truth is there are so many ways in which one can lose their housing — from having a major health concern to losing a job or leaving a situation of domestic violence. In particular, the Netflix series “Maid” has interrogated the complexity of poverty in a particularly poignant way.

“Maid” proves to be a difficult watch but an incredibly realistic retelling of one young mother’s story of survival. Told in 10 episodes, we watch as Alex (played by Margaret Qually) leaves her abusive boyfriend, Sean (played by Nick Robinson), and is then forced to reconcile with the bureaucratic systems that trap her in contradictions and catch-22s. We see the ebb and flow of her life as she navigates gaining employment, taking care of her adorable two-year-old daughter Maddy (played by Rylea Nevaeh Whittet) and becoming independent.

The complexity infused in the series is what makes it shine. Rather than glossing over traumatic experiences to showcase the ‘rags to riches’ mantra, it delves into Alex’s journey with all the twists and turns. Viewers watch as Alex fights to get full custody of her daughter, stay with different members of her estranged family — first her mom and then her dad — and survive abuse from her ex-boyfriend. We see a brilliant juxtaposition of poverty and wealth when she meets Regina and begins to clean her alluring house in Fisher Island once a week. 

Anika Noni-Rose beautifully inhabits Regina’s complex character. Although on the outside she is the typical uptight wealthy woman, she is also a rare representation of Black women. Not only her wealth, but her unapologetic nature, allows for space to be who she is fully. She also illustrates the idea that wealth isn’t protection from pain and heartbreak. It’s a lesson Alex learns on the night of Thanksgiving, when Regina tells her about her failing marriage and her inability to have children with Regina’s vulnerability and need for human connection, it made sense that she would have a strong friendship with Alex.

Yet, we can’t understand with the way that the women’s friendship doesn’t reach its full potential. A moment of vulnerability shared by Alex, when she has lost her housing and wants her daughter to attend the fancy preschool “Island Friends,” is lost on Regina. Alex asks Regina about staying in her guest room or even just using her address, a suggestion Regina is immediately against. While the two have a cordial relationship that becomes stronger toward the end of the series, it is our opinion that their friendship could have been much more.

Ultimately, this series is striking because of the story and the way the story is shown. The cinematography is in-your-face, and we’re not mad about it. For example, the screen has overlaying text that lets viewers know how much money Alex  is losing when she pays for groceries or supplies, and how much money she is making after she cleans a house. Additionally, more creative moments allow for the audience to understand Alex and get inside her head. One moment that stands out is when she is forced to stay with her ex, and she is dealing with depression and anxiety. She tunes out everything around her as she sits on the couch and then literally sinks into this dark well.

The directors carefully crafted storylines that balance great complexity in every scene. The tension between family, friends and society is especially present in “Maid,” but the best moments were not the dramatic ones. For us, the series weaves in beautiful moments of joy expressing a wonderful chemistry between Alex and her adorable young daughter. There is joy when they sing together as they venture into the forest, when she finds almost a hundred “My Little Ponies” and cheers Maddy up even while they are in a shelter. These moments are the best parts of the series as they demonstrate Alex’s incredible tenacity. While the last episode is one finally full of hope for a brighter future, we were ready to see more, but it ended before the next chapter really truly began.