The Girlfriend
By Sioph W. Leal
Many stories have been told about new girlfriends meeting the mothers and the two fighting for control over the son but The Girlfriend takes it to another level. Based on Michelle Frances’ novel of the same name, Laura (Robin Wright) is the ultimate helicopter mother and wants nothing but the best for her son and to keep up the perfect life she has. It all starts to unravel when Daniel (Laurie Davidson) brings home new girlfriend Cherry (Olivia Cooke) who does not come from the same walks of life as the prillaged Sanderson family. The introduction between mother and girlfriend does not go smoothly and from the moment Laura sees Cherry, she thinks the new girl is hiding something. Paranoia, deception, jealousy and fear run throughout the story and crafted with nuance that pulls you in with every second. The rivalry between Laura and Cherry is the best part of the story and it takes the show from a familiar plot to something so twisted.
The truth is a matter of perspective and The Girlfriend delves into that headfirst, switching points of view between Laura and Cherry halfway through an episode. There’s nothing jarring about it and for most of the episodes, the performances and what happens stays the same between the switch but with careful nuances that change the meaning based on whose perspective we were seeing. It's a credit to everyone involved at how such a task was perfected because it is only when things become unhinged that we see stark differences between the two. At the beginning of an episode you can be on Laura’s side only for your view to change and see Cherry’s. With this shift, it's a clever device to highlight the paranoia and the lengths both women will go to and the shift in their reasoning.
Neither character holds back from the dark side of their nature. Cherry is resourceful and more obvious in her dark nature, Laura presents perfection to the world but is just as dark, if not more, than Cherry. One lie in the halfway point of the season changes everything and unleashes the more chaotic, violent and crazed personalities of both women. It cuts away any presence and enacts a dedication so unhinged that it ends in death.
With so many dynamics and perspectives at play, chemistry between the cast helps drive home the different shifts. Mother and son are shown as wholesome and caring when it's Laura’s view on display but pseudo-incestious and overbearing when it comes to Cherry’s.The couple are shown as in love and besotted with each other regardless of the financial disparity between the two when Cherry’s segment gets a focus but when the perspective shifts, it's subtle but she becomes more opportunistic and money-minded. The two see each other and themselves differently. A perfect caring mother versus an oppressive, controlling parent or a girlfriend in love and wanting to make the best impression possible versus an ultimate gold-digger and social climber desperate to be in a world that doesn’t want her. It’s not just Wright and Cooke who give varied performances and can reel you into their side but Davidson balances both as the subject of their fights with a vulnerability and likability that makes you understand why such dynamic and complex women want to be in his life.
There are two sides to every story but perspective is key and The Girlfriend is a gripping psychological thriller that draws you in deep to the drama and crimes while twisting your own view on who is right or who to root for. Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright carry the series with ease, playing off each character's psyches with turns that can be absurd but not unexpected from the two characters. Cherry and Laura are obsessed with having the upper hand as their desires turn from being with Daniel to destroying each other just to keep him and every scene is perfectly crafted to create palpable tension and show that there is no limit to how far each of the characters will go. It’s crazy, violent and a great thriller that goes into the psyche and tests how far a person can go and how much they can be trusted.
The Girlfriend premiers 10th September on Amazon Prime.