If you’ve just finished watching that tension-filled episode of The White Lotus, you’ve probably already spent a not insignificant amount of time wondering what on earth will happen next. With only two episodes left to go, fans have long speculated that the opening credits may hold the key to how several plot points will unfold. 

This time around, the opening credits look and sound a little different to previous seasons, taking us inside a painting that’s packed with Thai and Buddhist symbolism. We see figures dance and pray as wild animals walk by, but it’s not long before chaos takes over. Suddenly, there are monkeys invading temples, crocodiles slithering about and sharks attacking people. In classic The White Lotus fashion, could these motifs mean something more for the story?

Indeed, monkeys are present at every turn – both in the opening credits and in the series itself. Some fan theories floating around the internet have also suggested that the Ratliff siblings represent the principle of ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’, a theory that seems even more likely when we see them on the boat at the beginning of the series, with Saxon wearing sunglasses, Piper wearing headphones and Lochlan taking a drink (which covers his mouth).

Another theme is surveillance. A lot of the title cards in the opening credits show people lurking in trees, animals stalking prey and several figures in windows. Is this a sign that nobody is ever really alone at The White Lotus and someone may always be watching you?

The series credits also show tigers hunting people, humans fighting one another with swords, monkeys stabbing and sharks going in for the kill. All this violence may predict multiple deaths, in multiple ways, towards the end of this season.

Below, we explore the opening credits further and take a look at what each scene for each cast member could mean for their The White Lotus storyline.

The opening credits imagery hints at each character’s storyline

Leslie Bibb, who plays Kate Bohr: Her title card is surrounded by an illustration of several elephants — animals known for having a good memory. As Kate somehow remembered meeting Victoria a decade ago, it’s clear that her memory may be a key plot point moving forward.

Carrie Coon, who plays Laurie Duffy: She plays another one of the three women on holiday together and her scene also features an elephant, though it’s surrounded by a pack of animals. Laurie keeps getting left out of the rest of her girl group, and it’s clear from her title card that this elephant is getting left out of the pack, and maybe even attacked.

Walton Goggins, who plays Rick Hatchett: Rick has spent most of this season isolating himself from everyone around him, so his name appears next to a lonely figure in a tower.

Sarah Catherine Hook, who plays Piper Ratliff: Her name is shown with a woman who appears to be meditating on a hill, and as her character is a student studying Buddhism and very dedicated to the faith, this makes a lot of sense.

Jason Isaacs, who plays Tim Ratliff: We see an image of a man trapped in a tree of knives or swords. As his character is trapped by some shady business moves catching up to him, this could be a sign of incoming danger for him.

Lalisa Manobal, who plays Mook: This card seems to show a woman holding an umbrella and flirting with a man. This could be a reference to her slow-burn relationship with Tayme Thapthimthong’s Gaitok.

Michelle Monaghan, who plays Jaclyn Lemon: Jaclyn is the third woman holidaying in Thailand with her two best friends, and she has a topless woman on a balcony in the image alongside her name. This could be in reference to Jacyln’s obsession with being young and hot (she’s a Hollywood actor, after all) and seeking validation from men.

Sam Nivola, who plays Lochlan Ratliff: The younger of Tim’s sons, Lochlan has his name attached to a boy lying down. The painting is a boy in his underwear floating in the water (which we’ve already seen Lochlan do this season), so perhaps his title card is referencing who could end up dead in the water at the end of the series.

Parker Posey, who plays Victoria Ratliff: Victoria has been high on prescription drugs for most of the season, so her title card depicts two monkeys sitting together, one of which is blowing smoke.

Natasha Rothwell, who plays Belinda Lindsey: After Posey’s name, the credits cut to a crocodile looking in the distance, and then shows a heron-like creature looking at its own reflection in the water. Then Natasha’s name pops up, which could relate to the myth of Narcissus or even to the fact that she recognises Gary as Greg.

Patrick Schwarzenegger, who plays Saxon Ratliff: Two men appear to be peeping, watching a topless woman (a possible cross-reference to the image next to Monaghan’s name) from afar in some trees, referencing the creepiness of Saxon.

Aimee Lou Wood, who plays Chelsea: A large cat has attacked another animal when Wood’s title card appears, while two other animals look on and watch. It’s clear there’s some violence surrounding Chelsea, but is she the attacked animal or the one doing the attacking?

Images: HBO