Ttoday we’re checking into one of the most uncomfortable luxury hotels on television, The White Lotus.

The White Lotus first aired in 2021, created by Mike White. On paper, it looks simple, it’s just wealthy guests arriving at an expensive resort expecting a perfect holiday. What they get instead is tension and drama, usually while holding a drink by the pool. The show is a satire of privilege, and from the very beginning, the music makes that clear.

The theme was composed by Cristobal Tapia de Veer, and it was never meant to sound welcoming. Mike White didn’t want a glossy, relaxing theme that matched the visuals, but rather a slightly unhinged tune that would immediately unsettle the audience. The instruction was basically: the hotel looks beautiful, but something ain’t right.