How to watch The Sympathizer 2024 in European countries on Max

Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning espionage and satire debut novel is getting adapted into a captivating new miniseries on Max and we’re all for it!

Following the story of a half-Vietnamese, half-French man, serving as a communist spy, The Sympathizer is set during the Vietnam War’s closing moments, showcasing how he transitions to life as a refugee with his spying days still far from over.

Here is everything we know about this new historical spy-thriller series by Park Chan-wook and Robert Downey Jr., and how you can watch The Sympathizer in European countries…

How to watch The Sympathizer in Europe?

The Sympathizer is going to stream on Max in the USA and other specific regions around the world, like Latin America and the Caribbean, but the issue is that this OTT streaming platform is not available in the majority of European countries.

This unfortunate difference in availability is due to geo-licensing issues, but we’re here to save the day with an easy guide to watching The Sympathizer in Europe.

Without further ado, just follow the steps below and watch The Sympathizer in European countries on Max with a VPN:

1- Get ExpressVPN for Max (12+3 month free special deal)

2- Download the VPN app on your preferred device like PC, Mobile, or Smart TV

3- Select an American server from the list

4- Now open max.com on your browser or use the official Max app

5- Search for The Sympathizer on Max

6- Enjoy

Why do you need a VPN to watch The Sympathizer in Europe?

If you are located in the United States, the process of watching The Sympathizer would be as easy as taking a walk in the park, but that isn’t the case for viewers in Europe.

The problem is that Max is only available in the USA, making it inaccessible in various European countries. This is due to geo-restrictions and content licensing policies that only allow users with an IP address from an authorized location to access Max content.

For example, if you are trying to access The Sympathizer in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Czechia, and other European countries on Max with your original IP address, you are bound the face a location error.

VPNs exist to help you out of this bind and make watching The Sympathizer in European countries as easy as it is in the USA and other regions. These technical tools can change your original IP address into an American one by enabling you to connect with an American server.

By relying on a trusted premium VPN, which offers outstanding geo-unblocking capabilities and an encrypted American IP address, you can enter Max’s content library and watch The Sympathizer in Europe without issues.

Why is ExpressVPN the best choice to watch The Sympathizer in Europe?

ExpressVPN is widely regarded as a top choice for bypassing geographical content restrictions, particularly for watching titles such as The Sympathizer in Europe on platforms like Max. According to prominent reviewers like VPNMentor, it has been named the best VPN for accessing content that’s restricted by region in 2024.

Our analysis supports the view that ExpressVPN excels in providing access to a variety of streaming platforms, including Max, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Peacock. With its British servers, it showed remarkable reliability for streaming content like Stacey Solomon’s Renovation Rescue and Race Across the World Season 4.

Thanks to its strategic server optimization, ExpressVPN offers an uninterrupted streaming experience of geo-restricted titles such as Beacon 23 Season 2, Eclipse Across America, and The Cuckoo. This reinforces our recommendation of ExpressVPN for watching The Sympathizer in European countries.

Possessing a network of 3000+ servers in 105 countries, ExpressVPN is particularly effective for unlocking content globally. Its more than 20 American servers are key for accessing US-exclusive content like The Sympathizer in European countries on Max.

Speed tests conducted on Fast.com have shown excellent performance, with download speeds reaching 95Mbps and upload speeds of up to 86Mbps on a 100Mbps connection, ensuring a seamless HD streaming experience of The Sympathizer in Europe without any buffering.

ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Android TV, along with a specific app for Smart TVs. This makes it convenient to stream geo-restricted content on Max, such as The Sympathizer in Europe.

With advanced features like MediaStream DNS and the Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN offers a secure and efficient streaming experience of geo-blocked content. It also safeguards your online activities with AES 256-bit encryption, TrustedServer technology, an Internet Kill Switch, and Threat Manager.

Choosing ExpressVPN for watching The Sympathizer in Europe is made even more appealing by its cost-effective annual subscription plan, priced at $6.67/month. This plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, an extra three months free, and 24/7 customer support.

Testing NordVPN to watch The Sympathizer in Europe

NordVPN is celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency as a VPN service, especially favored by those wishing to circumvent regional blocks on Max to watch titles like The Sympathizer in European countries.

It frequently surpasses ExpressVPN in performance ratings according to various assessments. Our own tests highlighted NordVPN’s adeptness at navigating through geo-restrictions easily, thanks to its impressive array of 1980+ American servers.

Our trials with NordVPN allowed for smooth viewing of geo-restricted content, such as Dinosaur 2024, The Repair Shop Season 13, and Drama Queens, showcasing its capability to facilitate access to geo-blocked titles like The Sympathizer in Europe on Max.

Offering a network of 5000+ servers in more than 60 countries, NordVPN excels at unlocking content restricted by streaming platforms. Speed tests validated its superior performance, with download speeds of up to 90Mbps and upload speeds of up to 83Mbps, ensuring a buffer-free experience when streaming The Sympathizer in European countries.

NordVPN’s compatibility extends across various platforms, such as PCs, Android devices, Smart TVs, and Linux, providing users significant versatility.

It incorporates robust security features, including an Internet Kill Switch, Dark Web Monitor, and Private DNS, along with the Nordlynx protocol for improved online security and smoother streaming of The Sympathizer in Europe.

NordVPN offers an impressive 69% discount on its two-year subscription, bringing the price down to just $3.09/month. This package also comes with three extra months for free, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and 24/7 customer support, making NordVPN a strong contender for watching The Sympathizer in European countries on Max.

Where to watch The Sympathizer in Europe?

The Max original miniseries, The Sympathizer, will only be streaming on the Warner Bros. Discovery-owned OTT streaming platform, Max, in the USA and specific international regions; unfortunately, Europe is not one of those lucky regions.

It is quite regretful to inform you that after thorough research, we have concluded that none of the European streaming platforms, like Canal+, NowTV, and Sky, have made any announcements of adding this upcoming dark comedy spy-thriller to their TV show lineup of April 2024.

Geographic restrictions and licensing issues are the ones to blame for this, preventing you from watching The Sympathizer in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Czechia, and other European countries.

However, you don’t have to worry because a best-in-class VPN service like ExpressVPN provides a ray of hope in this situation.

You can stream The Sympathizer in European countries on Max by changing your virtual location by connecting to an encrypted server located within the USA, granting you an American IP address and seamless access to all geo-restricted Max content.

The Sympathizer – Release Date

The Sympathizer is confirmed to debut on HBO and Max simultaneously on April 14, 2024.

Although the series hasn’t yet been rated on IMDb, the way its hype is rising day by day, and considering the immensely talented team behind it, The Sympathizer is expected to score high and be well-received by both the audience and the critics.

Currently, this spy-thriller comedy series is only confirmed to be available to watch in the USA and specific other countries where Max is available, but we will update this blog when there is an official announcement about The Sympathizer’s European release.

The Sympathizer – Official Trailer

You can also check out the previously released official teasers of The Sympathizer below:

The Sympathizer – What is the Show about?

The Sympathizer unfolds through the eyes of a protagonist of mixed Vietnamese and French heritage, who is secretly working for the North Vietnamese as a spy, while simultaneously feeling a bond with the South Vietnamese forces.

Known only as The Captain, he flees to the United States after the devastating collapse of Saigon and the ensuing tragic events that claim the lives of many he is close to. The initial story delves into The Captain’s struggle with his conflicting identities, a situation that becomes even more complex upon his relocation to America.

While continuing his espionage activities for the North Vietnamese, he encounters a range of intriguing characters and becomes involved in several romantic liaisons.

Additionally, he participates as an advisor on a Hollywood film about the Vietnam War, a satirical nod to movies like Apocalypse Now and Platoon. He is critical of the film’s glorified portrayal and narrowly survives a hazardous incident during its production.

The Sympathizer – Cast

The Sympathizer brings together a vibrant mix of established stars and fresh faces, creating a diverse ensemble set to bring the acclaimed novel to life.

Check out our detailed exploration of The Sympathizer’s cast below:

• Hoa Xuande as The Captain

Hoa Xuande, in what is undoubtedly his most significant role to date, leads the cast as The Captain.

Xuande has demonstrated his acting prowess in several projects prior to The Sympathizer. He played the character of Lin in Netflix’s live-action series Cowboy Bebop, showcasing his versatility and ability to delve into complex characters.

His other notable works include roles in Hungry Ghosts and the second season of Top of the Lake, making him a fitting choice for the multifaceted lead of this series.

• Fred Nguyen Khan as Bon

Fred Nguyen Khan, known for his role in Transplant, takes on the character of Bon in The Sympathizer.

Khan has a compelling screen presence that has been evident in his previous work, and his role in this series is highly anticipated.

• Toan Le as The General

Toan Le, who audiences may recognize from Bigfoot, plays The General. While less known than some of his co-stars, Le’s inclusion in The Sympathizer is a testament to the casting director Jennifer Venditti’s effort to find actors who can genuinely embody their characters.

• Alan Trong as Sonny

Alan Trong, who has appeared in The Tomorrow War, portrays Sonny. Trong’s experience in action and drama makes him a great fit for the series, where his character is expected to face numerous challenges.

• Duy Nguyễn as Man

Duy Nguyễn plays Man. After making appearances in shows like Ghosts and The Night Logan Woke Up, it is clear that Nguyễn brings something unique to the table.

• Vy Le as Lana

Vy Le makes her acting debut as Lana. Her role is highly anticipated, as it offers Le a significant platform to showcase her talent in a major series.

• Sandra Oh as Ms. Sofia Mori

Sandra Oh, an acclaimed actress known for her roles in Killing Eve, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Chair, also stars in the series as Ms. Sofia Mori. Her exceptional talent and ability to bring complex characters to life will undoubtedly add a compelling layer to the series.

• Robert Downey Jr. 

Robert Downey Jr., celebrated for his portrayal of Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his most recent Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer, takes on a unique challenge in The Sympathizer by playing multiple roles.

Each character represents different facets of America, allowing Downey to showcase his remarkable range and depth as an actor. In addition to his on-screen roles, Downey serves as an executive producer, contributing his vast experience and insight behind the scenes.

In a conversation with Steve Weintraub from Collider, Park Chan-wook shared insights into how Downey got involved with the project:

“Well, all the great actors are very picky, and I would think the reason why he chose this project is because he read the novel, and he liked the thoughts behind this novel and how this novel compares the Occidental values and Oriental values. And he has a great interest in telling the story of refugees and this novel tackles on the Vietnamese refugees who came to the United States after the war. So I think that was some of the reasons why he said yes to this project.”

The Sympathizer – Episode Details

HBO’s latest miniseries, The Sympathizer, is confirmed to have 7 episodes. Starting on April 14, 2024, the show will follow a weekly release schedule every Sunday, till May 26, 2024.

Although the complete release schedule of The Sympathizer’s episodes is lined up, the plot details of these episodes are being kept under wraps to maintain the hype and intrigue.

However, after a detailed research process, we have found details about the first two episodes of the spy-thriller series. You can check them out below, along with the release dates of all seven episodes:

Episode 1 – Death Wish

Release Date: April 14, 2024

In this episode, the Captain, a spy embedded within the communist party, finds himself torn between the demands of his superior in the South Vietnam Army, the General, and his CIA contact, Claude.

His moral compass is tested when his own team captures a fellow spy. As the fall of Saigon looms, the Captain is tasked with compiling an evacuation list for a flight to the US but then receives an unexpected new mission.

Episode 2 – Good Little Asian

Release Date: April 21, 2024

The Captain, along with other Vietnamese refugees, tries to adapt to their new life in Los Angeles. The defeated General becomes paranoid about a mole within their midst and instructs the Captain to find the traitor.

As the Captain zeroes in on a suspect, he rekindles a connection with his old teacher, Professor Hammer, and encounters the enigmatic assistant, Ms. Mori.

Episode 3 – April 28, 2024

Episode 4 – May 5, 2024

Episode 5 – May 12, 2024

Episode 6 – May 19, 2024

Episode 7 – May 26, 2024

What are reviewers saying about The Sympathizer?

According to Jia Tolentino, Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of The Sympathizer marks his most direct foray into interpreting a significant historical event. He expressed concerns about becoming overly obsessed with staying true to the historical aspects and ensuring factual accuracy, fearing it might overshadow the essence of the story.

Viet Thanh Nguyen, who started penning The Sympathizer over ten years ago, drew inspiration from Park’s widely acclaimed movie Oldboy, released in 2003. This film played a pivotal role in sparking a renewed interest in Asian cinema within the United States.

Nevertheless, Park found that the depth and complexity of Nguyen’s novel allowed him to bypass these concerns. The novel’s focus on themes such as betrayal, conflicted allegiances, and the blindness caused by extreme ideological beliefs presents a universal narrative.

This enabled Park to focus on creating a visual representation that mirrored Nguyen’s richly ironic, humorously bitter, and paradoxical writing style.

Read her complete article on The New Yorker.

The Sympathizer on Twitter

“I started to wonder whether Robert had ten writers at his house who he hired to come up with different lines, which he would memorize and pretend they were improv,” says Park Chan-wook, who directed the first 3 episodes of #TheSympathizer. “How could it be that he comes up with… pic.twitter.com/nLRd9i26Xn

— Esquire (@esquire) April 8, 2024

Hoa Xuande on being involved in HBO's Original Limited Series The Sympathizer pic.twitter.com/sTwcH3jJ4j

— The Sympathizer (@sympathizerhbo) April 6, 2024

FAQs

1- Will The Sympathizer be available in Europe?

The Sympathizer won’t be available for streaming on any European platform because HBO has only given the exclusive rights for this series to Max.

Max cannot be accessed directly in European countries due to geo-restriction policies, which is why we recommend you go for the VPN approach.

Using a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, you can easily change your IP address to the US, unblocking Max to watch The Sympathizer in European countries for free.

2- Can I watch The Sympathizer on Netflix in Europe?

No, you won’t be able to watch The Sympathizer on Netflix in Europe because this global OTT streaming platform has been unable to secure the official rights for this series in Europe or any other region.

This calls for the next best alternative, which is using a premium VPN service like ExpressVPN to connect with an American server.

Why? This simple trick will allow you to bypass the geo-restrictions of Max and watch the HBO original miniseries The Sympathizer in European countries without any issues.

3- Can I watch The Sympathizer on Prime Video in Europe?

Unfortunately, Prime Video subscribers in Europe share the same fate as Netflix users. HBO hasn’t lent Prime Video the streaming rights for The Sympathizer in Europe or anywhere else in the world.

However, this doesn’t mean you cannot watch this anticipated new series in Europe. All you need is to follow a simple set of instructions and watch The Sympathizer in Europe with the help of a VPN.

Premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer American IP addresses that can effortlessly allow you to change your IP address to the USA, which will grant you unrestricted access to The Sympathizer in European countries on Max.

4- Is it possible to watch The Sympathizer in Europe with a free VPN?

It is perfectly normal to want to watch The Sympathizer in Europe while saving money on VPNs; however, it is important to know that using a free VPN service comes with its risks and is not recommended by us.

These services are known for compromising user security by selling your activity data to third parties. They also lack the minimum level of encryption required for accessing platforms like Max, which might trigger annoying proxy errors.

A better option is going for premium VPNs like ExpressVPN, which offers outstanding services while watching The Sympathizer in European countries at a\ surprisingly low price of $6.67/month.

5- Who is the creator of The Sympathizer?

The Sympathizer is created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, who served as co-showrunners, with Park also taking on the role of director for the series.

Park Chan-wook is an Award-winning South Korean filmmaker, best known for critically acclaimed movies like Oldboy, The Handmaiden, and Decision to Leave.

Don McKellar is a well-known actor/writer, recognized for projects like Slings and Arrows, Closet Monster, and Michael: Every Day.

6- Who is making The Sympathizer?

The Sympathizer is the newest project resulting from the partnership between A24 and HBO, following their joint efforts on series like Euphoria, Irma Vep, and The Idol.

Additionally, A24’s TV division is behind the creation of Beef for Netflix, a series that has won Emmy awards. It is also worth noting that A24 is the very studio that produced the Michelle Yeoh-starring Oscar-winning movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once.

7- Who is writing The Sympathizer?

The writing team for The Sympathizer includes Mark Richard from The Good Lord Bird, Naomi Iizuka of Tokyo Vice, Maegan Houang known for Counterpart, Anchuli Felicia King who worked on The Baby, and Tea Ho from All the Same.

8- Who are the producers of The Sympathizer?

The Sympathizer has a notable producing lineup with companies like A24, Team Downey, Rhombus Media, Cinetic Media, and Moho Film, along with the following list of executive producers:

• Park Chan-wook
• Don McKellar
• Robert Downey Jr.
• Susan Downey
• Amanda Burrell
• Niv Fichman
• Kim Ly
• Ron Schmidt
• Viet Thanh Nguyen
• Jisun Beck

9- The Sympathizer Filming Locations?

The Sympathizer was mainly filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA, and various locations in Thailand. It is also worth noting that some scenes of the miniseries were filmed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

10- What is The Sympathizer based on?

The Sympathizer is based on the 2015 debut novel by Vietnamese-American professor Viet Thanh Nguyen of the same title. This best-selling spy thriller novel even won a 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

11- How many episodes will there be in The Sympathizer?

The Sympathizer is a miniseries that is confirmed to consist of a total of 7 episodes.

12- What is the genre of The Sympathizer?

The Sympathizer blends the genres of Black comedy, Historical drama, Spy thriller, and War drama into its captivating narrative.

What else can you watch on Max?

Here is a list of some of the most popular titles that you can watch on Max:

• 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? Season 8
• The Girls on the Bus
• The Regime
• Selling the Hamptons Season 2
• Jellystone! Season 3
• True Detective Season 4
• Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12

Wrap Up

The Sympathizer is a gripping adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, making its way to HBO through the visionary eyes of Park Chan-wook. and promising a blend of espionage, satire, and historical war drama.

While there may be the challenge of geo-restrictions in watching The Sympathizer in European countries, you can still access this remarkable miniseries on Max with ExpressVPN or NordVPN.

Just follow the steps mentioned in this blog, and experience this deep exploration of identity, loyalty, and the complexities of cultural and political conflicts without any limitations. Happy streaming!