TV series
Refugee. Traitor. Hero. Spy.
Near the end of the Vietnam War, a spy who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community, where he continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Checked Sep 1, 2026
The Sympathizer is available to stream on HBO (Via Hulu), HBO Max, and HBO Max (Via Amazon Prime) in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Near the end of the Vietnam War, a spy who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community, where he continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong.
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Episode 1
With the fall of Saigon imminent, the Captain juggles the communist party, the South Vietnamese army, his CIA handler and his conscience.
Directed by Park Chan-wookWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wookGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, VyVy Nguyen, Kayli Tran, La Thanh Thanh, Nguyen Viet Anh, Tom Dang, Joseph Hieu, Scott Ly
Episode 2
As he adjusts to life in Los Angeles, the Captain is forced to find someone to implicate when the General begins to suspect a mole.
Directed by Park Chan-wookWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wook, Naomi IizukaGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, VyVy Nguyen, La Thanh Thanh, Tom Dang, Joseph Hieu, Scott Ly, Tien Pham, Van Brunelle
Episode 3
The Captain and Bon craft a plan to quell the General's anxieties. Later, the Captain meets the Auteur, who wants to make a film about war.
Directed by Park Chan-wookWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wook, Mark RichardGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, VyVy Nguyen, Tom Dang, Tien Pham, Phong Le, Tan Ly, Viet Thanh Nguyen, B.J. Minor
Episode 4
As a reluctant consultant on a Hollywood film, the Captain navigates the egos and personalities of an increasingly chaotic production.
Directed by Fernando MeirellesWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wookGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, Kayli Tran, Tom Dang, Scott Ly, Tien Pham, Van Brunelle, David Duchovny, John Cho
Episode 5
After a lengthy stint at the hospital, the Captain discovers that the General has started recruiting for a secret military operation.
Directed by Marc MundenWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wook, Maegan HouangGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, VyVy Nguyen, Tom Dang, Joseph Hieu, Scott Ly, Tien Pham, Van Brunelle, David Duchovny
Episode 6
Convinced that the General's military operation is doomed, the Captain searches for ways to expose the mission and save Bon.
Directed by Marc MundenWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wook, Anchuli Felicia KingGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, Tom Dang, Joseph Hieu, Scott Ly, Tien Pham, Veronica Della Vedova, Ben Crowley, Michael Andrew Baker
Episode 7
Back in Vietnam, the Captain is forced to tell his story… and confront the decisions that haunt his past.
Directed by Marc MundenWritten by Don McKellar, Park Chan-wookGuest stars Quinn Hoàng, Kayli Tran, Tom Dang, Joseph Hieu, Scott Ly, Tien Pham, Lê Quang Vinh, Van Brunelle
Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026
Hoa XuandeThe Captain
Robert Downey Jr.Claude / Professor Hammer / Ned Godwin / Niko Damianos / Priest
Toan LeThe General
Fred Nguyen KhanBon
Duy NguyenMan
Vy LeLana
Nguyen Cao Ky DuyenMadame
Phan Gia Nhat LinhCrapulent Major
HBOUnited States
A24United States
Rhombus MediaCanadaHBOUnited States
Moho FilmSouth Korea
Team DowneyUnited States
