Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 1 recap: Masha's new healing technique

On May 21, 2025, the 2 episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 dropped together and continued the psychological drama series based on the novel by Liane Moriarty. In the first episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, titled “Zauberwald,” the series shifts its setting to a luxurious wellness retreat nestled in the Bavarian Alps. Masha Dmitrichenko, played by Nicole Kidman, returns as the enigmatic wellness guru, now collaborating with new partners Martin and Helena at the Alpine centre Zauberwald.

Read on for the full recap of Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 episode 1.

Here is what happened in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 episode 1

Nine Perfect Strangers follows the lives of nine people who are on a journey to explore a luxury wellness retreat in the hope of treating their personal wounds and emotional healing. Their tranquil gateway becomes more intense and unpredictable eventually.

This time, the season 2 features some new settings along with new faces, each grappling with their personal demons. Imogen, played by Annie Murphy, and her overbearing mother, Victoria, played by Christine Baranski, are depicted to be in a strained relationship, which sets the stage for emotional exploration. Peter is seeking reconciliation with his powerful, absentee father, David.

On the other hand, the struggling couple, Wolfie and Tina, are dealing with a tumultuous relationship. A nun is introduced in season 2, who has a mysterious past named Agnes.

The official synopsis of the season 2 episode 1 of Nine Perfect Strangers states,

"In their search for mind and body reinvigoration, nine people from various walks of life arrive at Zauberwald, an Alpine retreat, where they are greeted by the enigmatic wellness guru, Masha."

After becoming a controversial psychedelic wellness celebrity in the U.S., Masha Dmitrichenko is invited to Zauberwald—a remote and regulated clinic in Germany. The move is orchestrated by Martin, who respects her methods of healing, but only with some basic measures to be obeyed.

Masha introduces a controversial new therapy device meant to help clients relive formative life experiences. Later, her usage of psychedelic substances for healing and unorthodox methods raised ethical questions and tensions with her partner, Helena and Martin. Moreover, they also doubted whether revisiting traumatic moments can actually heal people.

Season 2 of Nine Perfect Strangers questions if Masha's techniques are healing or harming people

Many guests are unaware of Masha’s psychedelic protocols and think they’re at a spa. It is Imogen who criticises that he feels unsafe because of such vague wellness language. While Masha has not changed at all. She is intense and still haunted by visions of Tatiana, a ghostly presence who whispers.

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The episode ends with David Sharpe still in London, casually delaying his trip until “the deal is done.” He is an Estranged father of Peter Sharpe, one of the guests, and is invited by Masha to the clinic as a potential investor. His ominous final line, “Don’t I control the weather?”, suggests maybe David is a bigger force than Masha.

The emotional peak in the episode occurs as a result of several incidents. The guests have started feeling uneasy while sister agnes is sleeping on the floor. Some guests are looking to reconnect either with their families, partners or themselves. While Masha is still awake and haunted in her sleep.

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