The Girlfriend review: Robin Wright’s thriller is gleefully deranged

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A star rating of 4 out of 5.

It’s fair to say that among all the drama series I’ve watched this year, The Girlfriend has provided the most enjoyable experience for me. However, this doesn’t necessarily make it the best drama of the year. But being the most entertaining isn’t a requirement for being good either.

Similar to its origin, this show thrives when viewed as an engaging, albeit occasionally absurd, enigma that prioritizes entertainment over all else. And in doing so, it certainly delivers an exciting performance.

I’m delighted to be discussing a captivating story where I play a crucial role, alongside Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke. Together, we embody the characters of Laura and Cherry respectively. I portray the devoted mother of Laurie Davidson’s charismatic doctor character, Daniel. Cherry, played by Olivia, enters the scene as Daniel’s new girlfriend who isn’t shy about stirring up a bit of trouble with me, his loving mom!

As soon as Laura enters the room, she harbors a deep-seated suspicion towards Cherry. Whether this mistrust is founded or merely a reflection of her own unresolved concerns, such as the fear of being supplanted and traces of class prejudice, isn’t immediately apparent at first.

The series cleverly makes us question our loyalty through its skillfully woven plotline that alternates between Laura and Cherry’s viewpoints for each episode, sometimes replaying the same events from contrasting vantage points.

The intent behind these instances is deliberate ambiguity, serving to confuse the observer and mimic real-life situations where statements or actions may be misunderstood due to heightened emotions like frustration and anger causing a fog of confusion between individuals.

In my perspective, I can’t help but admire how both Wright and Cooke skillfully switch between portraying the tormented victim and the cunning antagonist in their roles. They manage to do this with such finesse that it never seems out of character for them, maintaining the essential qualities, beliefs, and driving forces of their respective characters throughout.

As a movie critic, I must commend Davidson for his gripping portrayal of Daniel, a character who effortlessly captures our attention and sympathy. Despite his good looks and privileged status, one can’t help but feel a profound sense of empathy as he naively walks into each deceptive trap laid before him. Truly, it’s a performance that leaves you in awe and wishing the best for this lost soul. Bravo!

I found Tanya Moodie simply captivating in her portrayal of Isabella, a dear friend and confidante to Laura, yet it’s hard not to notice the recurrence of the ‘Black best friend’ trope in this role. It’s a challenging dynamic that I believe deserves more complexity and depth.

This character type often serves as a supporting role for a white protagonist, offering humor, information, emotional backing, or some other function within the story. However, they typically lack significant personal development or focus on their own pursuits.

In a somewhat different yet understandable phrase, we can say that Isabella and her daughter, Brigitte (Shalom Brune-Franklin), who was once Daniel’s childhood friend, seem to embody this recurring theme. It is unfortunate to witness such portrayals continuing even after over a decade of it gaining recognition in mainstream media.

Moodie and Brune-Franklin skillfully handle their respective characters well despite having less dialogue, much like Karen Henthorn and Waleed Zuaiter who convincingly portray Cherry’s mother, Tracey, and Daniel’s father, Howard, in their somewhat underdeveloped roles.

In essence, while some characters may not be deeply developed, they don’t detract from the show because the intense competition between Laura and Cherry takes center stage. This rivalry, which unfolds in an entertainingly bizarre and ominous manner, is captivating to watch.

Readers who are acquainted with Michelle Frances’s novel might predict certain developments, but for those new to the story, its intriguing enigmas and genuine, unforeseen plot twists were incredibly engaging.

Absolutely, while The Girlfriend might not be particularly believable, it’s undeniably captivating to watch. With its exaggerated and at times humorously bleak portrayal of a conspiracy, it consistently manages to keep viewers hooked.

Indeed, the grim, catastrophic finale – strongly hinted at in the initial forward jump – can feel somewhat disappointing following such an exhilaratingly chaotic journey. Yet, it’s well worth spending around five and a half hours on this sleek, fashionable adventure.

The Girlfriend is available to stream on Prime Video on Wednesday 10th September.

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2025-09-08 17:35