Looking to get sucked into a new dark thriller? Prime Video's newest psychological drama is the show you need to stream this month, and as of right now, you can dive right in. Today (September 10), the streaming service has dropped "The Girlfriend," and I can't recommend it enough.
I'd been keeping tabs on the show in the run-up to its debut, as the promise of a domestic thriller that pits mother against her son's new girlfriend sounded like a recipe for a tantalizing watch. But ahead of release, I had the chance to stream all six episodes, and I'm pleased to report that "The Girlfriend" is a riot.
Amazon's latest original series is a morally complicated roller coaster ride, one that'll pull you into orbit from the jump and keep you locked in. If you love scandalous dramas with plenty of secrets, "The Girlfriend" is not to be missed.
What is 'The Girlfriend' about?
"The Girlfriend" is a six-part thriller series based on the novel of the same name, penned by Michelle Frances. The drama revolves around Laura (Robin Wright) and her son's new girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke).
Laura is a woman who seemingly leads a perfect life. She's got a fancy career running an art gallery, has a loving husband, and dotes on her son, Daniel (Laurie Davidson). However, when Daniel brings Cherry into their home, everything changes.
Laura is completely convinced that Cherry has ulterior motives and some secrets of her own, and the series quickly becomes a tense back-and-forth as she tries to prove that Daniel's new partner has something to hide, and that battle of wits threatens to turn everyone's lives upside down.
'The Girlfriend' is a shocking, twisting thrill ride that you won't be able to look away from
I’ve not read the book the series is based on, so I don’t know if this is how the novel is laid out, too, but the show smartly presents both sides to this war. Leading up to the big climax, most episodes are split broadly into two halves, presenting Laura and Cherry’s versions of events.
That structure keeps us on our toes, revealing fresh info as we go and offering viewers the chance to fill in the dots and decide who to side with. Do you trust that Laura's always doing the right thing, and that her suspicions and actions are justified? Or is her obsession with her son unhealthy, and her actions towards Cherry totally unjustifiable?
Obviously, I wouldn't want to spoil where the series goes; seeing the twists it takes is part of the appeal, but rest assured, "The Girlfriend" has some surprises that you won't see coming (and some dark ones, at that). While it might not work for everyone, it definitely worked for me.
"The Girlfriend's" combo of juicy drama, shifting morality, and the show's steady stream of secrets was gripping, to the point that I raced through the whole season in just two sittings. And at just six episodes long, I'd bet plenty of viewers will be similarly absorbed, especially as the show knows how to deploy a cliffhanger ending to maximum "one-more-episode" effect.
It also helps that "The Girlfriend" series is driven by two formidable actors in Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke. Watching them go toe-to-toe is a riot: both have run the emotional gauntlet of hatred, fear, and anger by the time the series is over.
Simply put, if the idea of being left genuinely open-mouthed from shock by the time the credits roll on episode six, then "The Girlfriend" is the show you need to be streaming right now. It's glossy, it's compelling, and it makes for the perfect binge-watch: what more could you want?
Stream "The Girlfriend" on Prime Video now
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