"Killer Instincts" is the seventh episode of the third season of The White Lotus. It is the twentieth episode of the series overall. It was released on March 30, 2025 on HBO and HBO Max.
Synopsis[]
"In Bangkok, Rick meets face-to-face with the man he thinks ruined his life. Meanwhile, a nervous Belinda brings Zion along to Chloe's expat party, Saxon confronts Timothy about how strange he’s been acting since they arrived in Thailand, Laurie heads to a Muay Thai match with Valentin, and Gaitok and Mook have their first date." ― Official site
Plot Summary[]
Rick gains access to Sritala's home and confronts her husband, Jim Hollinger, whom he believes is responsible for his father's death. Frank assists by posing as a film director and breaking his sobriety to maintain the ruse. Rick and Jim speak privately, during which Jim reflects on his years in Thailand. Rick brings up his past, including the name Gloria Hatchett and a possible land deal involving his father. Rick accuses him of orchestrating his father's murder and draws a gun but ultimately lowers it. Instead of firing, he pushes Jim to the floor, causing him to hit his head. Rick leaves the house with Frank, claiming he found closure and that Jim is not the powerful figure he had imagined. Later, they go out partying in Bangkok.
At a night market, Gaitok spends time with Mook, who encourages him to embrace ambition and strength. During a Muay Thai fight, Gaitok spots Valentin with Laurie, Aleksei, and Vlad, and identifies Vlad as the driver involved in the earlier jewelry store robbery. He realizes the robbery was facilitated by Valentin distracting him at the gate.
Timothy continues to struggle emotionally, particularly after Saxon expresses the pressure he feels to succeed. Combined with Victoria's earlier comments about poverty, this leads Timothy to consider a family murder-suicide. However, when he searches for the stolen gun, he finds it missing.
Victoria maintains her strong opinions, confronting a young woman at a party and making judgmental remarks. She also prays that Piper will reconsider her decision to stay at the monastery.
Fabian performs a song for hotel guests for the first time.
Laurie, still angry about Jaclyn's involvement with Valentin, argues with her and Kate at dinner. Laurie ultimately leaves and attends the Muay Thai fight alone, where she meets up with Aleksei. She later goes home with him. After they are intimate, Aleksei asks Laurie for $10,000, claiming it's for his mother's medical expenses. Laurie declines, but Aleksei continues pressing, asking if she can transfer the funds electronically. The situation escalates when a woman arrives at the apartment, prompting Laurie to hide and eventually escape through a window after being physically confronted. She returns to the resort shaken but unharmed.
Saxon joins Chloe's party with his parents. When the topic of older men with younger Thai women comes up, Chelsea suggests this might be Saxon's future. Saxon expresses concern about Gary, but Chloe explains that they had an open discussion and that Greg shared deeply personal details about his upbringing and fantasies. Chloe then suggests Saxon could help fulfill Greg's voyeuristic interests, which Saxon rejects. He later walks Chelsea home, where she guides him through a calming meditation. When he initiates physical contact, she pulls away and ends the night by calling Rick.
Belinda attends the party with Zion after he convinces her to go. There, Greg unexpectedly offers her $100,000, claiming Tanya had wanted to make amends by supporting her spa dream. Belinda says she needs time to consider the offer. Zion encourages her to accept, warning that declining could put them both at risk.
Elsewhere, Piper and Lochlan spend the night at the monastery. While Lochlan dislikes the food, he finds value in the teachings and expresses a desire to stay for a year. Piper appears uncertain about this.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Leslie Bibb as Kate Bohr
- Carrie Coon as Laurie Duffy
- Scott Glenn as Jim Hollinger
- Walton Goggins as Rick Hatchett
- Jon Gries as Greg Hunt
- Sarah Catherine Hook as Piper Ratliff
- Jason Isaacs as Timothy Ratliff
- Lalisa Manobal as Thidapon "Mook" Sornsin
- Michelle Monaghan as Jaclyn Lemon
- Sam Nivola as Lochlan Ratliff
- Lek Patravadi as Sritala Hollinger
- Parker Posey as Victoria Ratliff
- Sam Rockwell as Frank
- Natasha Rothwell as Belinda Lindsey
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon Ratliff
- Tayme Thapthimthong as Gaitok
- Aimee Lou Wood as Chelsea
Guest Starring[]
- Nicholas Duvernay as Zion Lindsey
- Arnas Fedaravičius as Valentin
- Christian Friedel as Fabian
- Julian Kostov as Aleksei
- Yuri Kolokolnikov as Vlad
- Charlotte Le Bon as Chloe
Co-Starring[]
- Pree "Wan" Asvaraksha as Bodyguard #1
- Rob Carlton as Rupert
- Fongbeer Charinrat
- Claudine Craig as Hostess
- Nana Kamisama
- Victoria Kvitkina as Nadya
- Praya Lundberg as Praya
- Bancha "Richy" Mutaporn as Waitress
- Nopphasin "Maggie " Nanthasit as Waitress #2
- Thanapat 'Oat' Noitawee as Bodyguard #2
- Sommanat "Natt" Suttichada as Greg's Butler
- Fernie Warisa
- Suthichai Yoon as Luang Por Teera
Quotes[]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
External links[]
- "Killer Instincts" at the Internet Movie Database
- "Killer Instincts" at Wikipedia
| The White Lotus Season 3 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
301. "Same Spirits, New Forms" |
305. "Full-Moon Party" | |
|
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| See also: S1 • S2 • S3 • S4 | ||