Rachel Weisz Starred in What Should've Been Netflix's Next Big Thing – Now It's Sitting at 54% on RT

The Netflix adaptation of Julia May Jonas' novel, Vladimir, was expected to be one of the biggest events of the spring.

With the controversial topic of #MeToo in academia, forbidden passion between a professor and a young colleague, and reflections on the nature of creativity, all the ingredients for a hit were in place.

However, the result is something completely different: a cozy yet dull spectacle devoid of eroticism, humor, and provocation.

What Is 'Vladimir' About?

The husband of English literature teacher M, also a professor, is accused of inappropriate behavior by six women. The couple has been in an open marriage for a long time and M has turned a blind eye to his escapades, but the university investigation threatens to cause a scandal.

To make matters worse, a new young professor named Vladimir arrives at the faculty. He moved in with his wife, Cynthia, who is struggling with the aftermath of a suicide attempt, and their young daughter.

M begins fantasizing about Vladimir and writes down her erotic dreams in an attempt to overcome her writer's block. Vladimir seems to reciprocate her feelings, but the line between reality and fantasy quickly blurs.

'Vladimir' Promised a Passionate Romance but Ended up Deceiving Viewers

Vladimir's ad campaign emphasized an illicit affair between a middle-aged woman and her young colleague, but this turned out to be mostly a marketing ploy. There are hardly any erotic scenes, and the few that exist are a figment of the heroine's imagination.

She imagines the same scenes over and over again, then puts them on paper. Vladimir becomes less of a lover and more of a muse, helping her overcome writer's block.

The series speaks far more about the nature of creativity and the interplay of fantasy and reality than about passion – and this would be fine if these reflections were captivating.

However, they become mired in routine, and Vladimir himself remains a pale shadow, not a fully fleshed-out character.

'Vladimir' Resembles a Cautious Fan Fiction That Is Devoid of Any Sharpness

Vladimir fits into two traditions: on the one hand, it's a story about university campuses, similar to the recent Rooster. On the other hand, it's a romance between an older woman and a younger man.

However, while Babygirl and The Idea of You used this topic for thriller and drama, Vladimir uses it in a cozy yet dull way. Like Phoebe Waller-Bridge in Fleabag, the main character constantly breaks the fourth wall, but without wicked irony and self-mockery.

M is a staid, cautious, dreamy woman, and the series matches her character perfectly. However, this isn't enough to keep viewers engaged.

There are no major intrigues, the characters are only moderately charming, and the topics of #MeToo, marital crisis, and creativity are approached so cautiously that it seems as if the writers are afraid to address them.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Vladimir'?

• Vladimir has 73% from critics and 54% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 6.1/10.