Film & TV Writer Kaia Bailey reviews Prime Video’s The Girlfriend, praising the standout peformances from its leading ladies
Based on the book by Michelle Francis, Prime Video’s latest psychological thriller, The Girlfriend, follows a tumultuous mother and daughter-in-law’s relationship, where the true antagonist of the show remains ambiguous until the very end. In a genre full of clear-cut villains, I found myself immersed in the lingering ambiguity The Girlfriend established through its first and subsequent episodes, keeping the viewer with unanswered questions even after the credits roll.
…the true antagonist of the show remains ambiguous until the very end.
The first episode introduces the viewer to the dual perspective of Cherry (Olivia Cooke) and Laura (Robin Wright), where conversations are manipulated depending on whose perspective the viewer is being subjected to. We meet art gallery owner Laura, who is preparing to meet her son Daniel’s girlfriend, Cherry. Laura’s character is immediately set up as an all too recognisable overprotective mother. As she drapes herself over a half-naked Daniel (Laurie Davidson) moments after playfully wrestling in a swimming pool, I had no choice but to raise my eyebrows at the closeness of their relationship, reminding myself that Laura is in fact his mother, and we are yet to be introduced to his girlfriend.
Cherry and Laura’s tumultuous relationship begins at their first interaction. Laura, unaware of Cherry’s presence, laughs with her friend Isabella (Tanya Moodie) calling her name ‘naff’, as Isabella asks if they’re sure she isn’t ‘moonlighting herself as a stripper’. From this moment, Laura and Cherry are destined to clash, each a woman who instinctively wants to protect the boy they view as their own. What begins as awkward moments quickly descends into something far more manipulative and sinister, where competing versions of the truth remain as the only evidence viewers have in a duel of fighting narratives.
One of the most compelling aspects of the show is Olivia Cooke’s performance. Cooke’s portrayal of Cherry remains effective in her ability to switch between prey and predator, depending on whose perspective we are supposed to believe. However, what makes Cooke’s performance so enticing is the way she makes Cherry seem justified even in her craziest moments. In her hands, Cherry escapes being cornered into a straightforward villain. Even when her actions seem irrational, I couldn’t help but root for her in the end. It feels rare to watch a character become unhinged in many aspects of her life and still defend her, yet Cooke’s big doe eyes, that glass over with a sincerity that lingers even after a scene is finished, entices me to root for her character until the end.
Robin Wright’s performance as Laura is also a standout, as her overt character unravelling provides an interesting dynamic compared to Cherry’s outwardly collected appearance. Whereas Cherry’s volatility simmers beneath the surface, and is only revealed to a select number of characters, Laura’s emotional outbursts play out in full view. Wright plays Laura in a way which demands attention from her scene partners and the audience simultaneously, keeping the tension taut while also highlighting the difference between the two women’s coping mechanisms. I argue that this difference in coping mechanisms is what makes it easier to root for Cherry rather than Laura, as Cherry’s simmering anger feels more palatable than Laura’s overt outbursts. However, the push and pull dynamic created by Cooke and Wright remains effective in creating the most intense moments of the show.
Ultimately, The Girlfriend thrives on its compelling performances and more nuanced villains.
Although the acting performance from the leading ladies remains an immense positive for the show, the narrative plot does unfortunately fall into unrealistic territory. Though the premise will feel all too familiar for many people watching, a lot of the sequences meant to shock feel contrived or unconvincing. In its climactic moments, the show seems to leave behind the psychological thriller advertised in favour of moments that could slot into an episode of your favourite weekly soap opera. The dialogue between Cherry and Laura also often feels overly scripted. The lack of authenticity in their exchanges does impact the tense atmosphere the show is trying hard to portray.
Nevertheless, the show did deliver an addictive watching experience, one easily bingeable in a single sitting. Ultimately, The Girlfriend thrives on its compelling performances and more nuanced villains. If you are after a show where the truth always feels just slightly out of reach, The Girlfriend offers enough ambiguity, intrigue, and character driven drama to warrant an enjoyable watch.
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