Prime Video's New Hit Is an Addictive Psychological Thriller With 'House of the Dragon' Star
The characters in this show are hard to relate to, but you can't look away.
In the world of psychological thrillers, it's rare to find projects that keep viewers in suspense from start to finish without offering easy answers.
The new miniseries The Girlfriend does this brilliantly, immersing viewers in a frighteningly realistic story about the struggles of two ambitious women.
If you're looking for a series with complex characters and an electrifying atmosphere, here is why The Girlfriend is a must-see for every fan of psychological thrillers.
What Is 'The Girlfriend' About?
The plot centers on the prosperous Sanderson family. Laura (Robin Wright) embodies the London elite. She is a gallery owner, wife of a hotel magnate, and mother to her student son, Daniel.
This idyllic life is disrupted by the arrival of Cherry (Olivia Cooke), a new girl in Daniel's life. The ambitious and charismatic real estate agent immediately arouses Laura's blatant disdain.
A conflict breaks out between the women that quickly escalates into an all-out war where all means are fair.
Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright Play Two Women You Won't Sympathize With
The series' main strengths are its brilliant acting and complex characters. The authors deliberately avoid categorizing characters as purely good or bad.
Robin Wright masterfully plays an overprotective mother whose love for her son borders on obsession, pushing her to violate all sorts of boundaries. Robin Wright is opposed by Olivia Cooke as Cherry, a lower-class girl who desperately wants to make it to the top.
Viewers are constantly torn between the two, sometimes condemning and sometimes understanding the motives of each. In the end, however, sympathy is perhaps only aroused by Daniel, who finds himself between two fires.
'The Girlfriend' Is a Gripping Psychological Thriller That Will Keep You Hooked Until the Finale
The Girlfriend masterfully balances the line between family drama and psychological thriller. Rather than simply telling the story of a conflict, the show creates an oppressive atmosphere of mistrust and anxiety.
By carefully touching on topics such as class inequality, painful attachment, and social mobility, the project adds depth to an already tense plot.
It's a rare case where it's impossible to tear yourself away from the screen, not so much for the brilliant denouement, but for the virtuoso process of observing the clash of two strong personalities where truth is always subjective.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Girlfriend'?
-
The Girlfriend has 86% from critics and 78% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
-
On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.2/10.
Where to Watch 'The Girlfriend'?
The Girlfriend is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
