‘The Girlfriend,’ directed by Robin Wright began streaming on Prime Video from 10th September and stars Robin Wright, Olivia Cooke, Laurie Davidson, Waleed Zuaiter, and Tanya Moodie.
‘The Girlfriend’ is the kind of psychological thriller that feeds on tension you can’t quite pinpoint. Robin Wright directs and steps into the role of Laura, a mother who seems to have everything under control until her son brings home a new partner. Cherry, played by Olivia Cooke, is lively, unpredictable, and instantly disruptive. What begins as a polite introduction unravels into a duel between two women circling each other with suspicion. The six-episode series, adapted from Michelle Frances’s novel, never hides its flair for melodrama, and that’s part of its charm.
A thriller of obsession
It wants to unsettle you, provoke you, and at times even overwhelm you. For those who enjoy messy family dramas dressed up as psychological warfare, ‘The Girlfriend’ checks most of the boxes.
The plot behind the smiles
The plot is centered around Laura (Robin Wright), a mother and owner of three art galleries in London, whose perfect life begins to unravel when her son Daniel (Laurie Davidson) brings home Cherry (Olivia Cooke), a young woman whose charm and mystery unsettle her. At first, it seems like a simple story of a mother suspicious of her son’s new partner, but the series quickly transforms into psychological tension. Laura’s suspicion grows as Cherry subtly inserts herself into Daniel’s life, manipulating situations to her advantage while presenting herself as innocent and charming. The narrative shifts between Laura’s anxious perspective, Cherry’s cunning point of view, and the neutral lens of the household. As the episodes progress, the tension escalates: past traumas are hinted at, loyalties are tested, and small misunderstandings spiral into dangerous confrontations. The question the series keeps dangling is: who is telling the truth, and does it even matter?
Style and substance
‘The Girlfriend’ thrives on ambiguity, forcing you to doubt both characters until you no longer trust yourself. The repeated POVs keep you guessing, though they also risk wearing thin—there are stretches where the drama circles the same ground, and the suspense slackens. But the show makes up for it with atmosphere. It’s stylishly mounted with shimmering interiors and tightly framed shots that turn everyday exchanges into scenes of menace. Even when it drifts into melodrama—raised voices, accusations hurled—it’s hard to look away. Sometimes leaning into excess, letting the emotions spill over, is what keeps the audience hooked. The series is crafted with enough care to feel deliberate rather than accidental. It’s less about realism and more about mood, and in that lane, it succeeds.
Crackling performance
Robin Wright brings an authority to Laura, a woman trying to hold on to control while fear chips away at her. Wright never plays Laura as protective or unhinged, and that ambiguity makes her a compelling character. Cooke is her perfect counterpart. Cherry is elusive, impossible to pin down, switching from warmth to menace in the blink of an eye. Their scenes together crackle with tension; you can almost feel the air tighten whenever they share the frame. Laurie Davidson, as Daniel, doesn’t get the same dramatic moments, but his bewilderment matters—he’s the pawn caught between two strong-willed women, the character reminding us this is also a story about a family imploding. Even the minor roles are sketched with enough detail to feel real, though they are kept in the margins so the spotlight never strays from core characters.
An intriguing and engaging show
‘The Girlfriend’ is less about a neat resolution than about the unease it leaves behind. Its refusal to give clear answers will frustrate some viewers, but it’s also what makes the series linger after the credits roll. You keep replaying moments in your head, wondering if you misread them, wondering if either woman deserves sympathy. As a binge-watch, the six episodes pass quickly, even with the occasional repetition. As a thriller, it’s glossy, gripping, and fuelled by two fierce performances. This drama knows exactly what it is—a stylish, provocative drama that feeds on obsession—and it plays that game with confidence. For those who like their thrillers polished yet messy, this one is worth the dive.
Rating: 4/5
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