'The New Look': Catherine Dior struggles to find peace after Nazi horrors in Apple TV+'s drama series

'The New Look' depicts horrific physical and psychological conditions that individuals in the concentration camps faced
PUBLISHED MAR 13, 2024
Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior in a still from 'The  New Look' (@Apple TV+)
Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior in a still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: When Apple TV+'s 'The New Look' was first announced, it was evident that the series would focus on the intricate world of fashion during WWII.

However, it came as a pleasant surprise that the series also highlighted the largely unknown facets of the courageous and unsung heroes of the war.

The Todd A. Kessler-helmed biographical drama, which primarily emphasizes the lives of Christian Dior (Ben Mendelsohn) and Coco Chanel (Juliette Binoche), also introduces viewers to Christian's headstrong and fiery sister, Catherine Dior (Maisie Williams).

Catherine Dior is shown to be a dedicated member of the French Resistance in 'The New Look'

A still from 'The New Look'
Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior in a still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)

Catherine Dior, who was driven by an urge for justice, actively participated in the French resistance during World War II.

As seen in the series, Catherine's strong and revolutionary attitude greatly aided the French resistance. However, her active involvement in the cause often worried her older brother Christian about her welfare.

Christian's fears, however, were quickly turned into a nightmare in July of 1944, as the Gestapo, the official secret police of Nazi Germany, abducted Catherine and 26 other resistance fighters.

Notwithstanding the agonizing torment, the valiant woman declined to divulge any details pertaining to her allies.

In the latest episode of the Apple Studios series, it is shown that despite being released from the Ravensbrück women concentration camp in 1945, Catherine remains marred by the horror following terrible physical and psychological torture.

Catherine Dior struggles to attain peace after her traumatic time in concentration camp

A still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)
A still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)

Christian was ecstatic to hear about his beloved sister's homecoming. His enthusiasm, though, was short-lived when he saw Catherine's poor condition.

She is surrounded by the acute horrors of her incarceration by the Germans, which saw her shed a great deal of weight, almost rendering her unidentifiable.

Throughout the episode, it was evident that she was struggling to comprehend tranquility, even though she was safe in her own home.

Regardless of how hard she tries, the depressing recollections of her stay in the concentration camp envelop her.

She is unable to recall her own brother due to the mental torment and has recurrent flashbacks about the atrocities she suffered in Nazi camps.

Catherine Dior finally recalls her memories in 'The New Look'

Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior and Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior in a still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)
Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior and Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior in a still from 'The New Look' (@Apple TV+)

Christian makes many fruitless attempts to restore his sister's feeling of normalcy. He does everything he can to help Catherine recall her life before her incarceration, but it is all in vain until a friend of Jean (Noé Besin) accompanies her to Jean's gravesite.

The man revealed details of his own resistance experience, including how he used his printing press to create content critical of the Germans, endangering his safety.

He discloses that he was among the six pupils targeted by the Nazis, but he managed to escape since his apprehended companions declined to reveal his whereabouts.

As she hears the young man speak, Catherine is reminded of her own sufferings and suggests that if she had not endured the torture, her companions would not have survived and would have died.

Following this realization, Catherine tells her brother that she was able to withstand the agony and pain because of him. The episode ends with both brothers and sisters embracing each other.  

'The New Look' Episode 6 is now streaming on Apple TV+

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