La novia

After the first episode, I was unsure how this show would qualify as a thriller. It opens on a lighthearted, almost cliché note, reminiscent of Monster-in-Law with J-Lo and Jane Fonda. It begins with the classic overprotective mother versus new girlfriend dynamic with comedic exchanges and rising tensions.

However... the story quickly takes a much darker turn and tone. The pacing is excellent and it's nearly impossible to stop watching once you start. It's a shame that it's a limited series because I could easily see the story continuing for at least a couple more seasons.

The acting is far better than I expected. Cooke, Wright, and Davidson have fantastic chemistry on screen and each inhabits their role perfectly. The emotional tension, good and bad, is authentic and palpable. There's a few plot holes and some unresolved storylines but for a limited series, they are forgivable albeit a touch annoying.

The more I reflect on the story, the more nuance I see. Without giving too much away, the characters background and upbringing shape how each of them responds to trauma, loss, and major life changes, with those responses unfolding on screen.

I'll just end it with, Daniel gets exactly what he deserves in the end.

I just binged all six episodes in one stretch! It was great to see the very talented and naturally beautiful Robin Wright in front of and behind the camera. Even though she has been busy, this was my first time seeing her since the final season of House of Cards - which was a 10/10.

The graceful Olive Cooke, who very convincingly played an unstable outcast in Thoroughbreds, was in top form in The Girlfriend and the perfect rival for Wright's character.

I enjoyed the story's easy to follow point of view format. The scenery is spectacular. Initially, the music seemed aggressive but grew on me. The acting was excellent by the supporting actors, too.

Very importantly, The Girlfriend has realistic representation of race and sexuality without being over the top. Shows like And Just Like That...tried too hard for representation and IMO inadvertently came off as racist, bigoted, and prejudiced by trying to check off all the boxes.

Lastly, despite The Girlfriend having a couple of plot holes, this psychological thriller is an easy and fun viewing experience! I definitely recommend.

This is a really fun watch. The story keeps you engaged and despite having a pretty obvious plot, the shift in perspectives (the girlfriend's vs the mother's) works really well to maintain an element of mystery and intrigue. The acting is really good across the board but Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke really stand out and the roles fit them perfectly.

There are just a few minor things that weren't quite as polished. For example, the secondary actors were all one dimensional and almost felt like props, which might be perhaps to reflect the personalities of the two main characters and how they see the people around them. And a few plotholes surrounding how secrets were uncovered or certain things set up that might have been an artistic choice or maybe I'm being too generous.

Despite its faults, this is a really fun watch that is surprisingly relateable (the working class perspective not the oedipal can of worms)

Strengths! Acting! Robin Wright is always fire - a powerful on-screen presence, and here she not only embodies her character but also directs alongside Andrea Harkin. Olivia Cooke adds tension, though her performance doesn't fully reach the same level.

The series is compact - just six episodes. That format avoids stretched-out arcs of long dramas, but it also limits the story's range. After a strong pilot, episodes 2-4 feel watered down, only to pick up again with a compelling finale. Honestly, this could have worked better as a feature film.

Themes & Emotional Impact. The main motifs - mother and son, trust and suspicion, social status, manipulation - hit sensitive spots that resonate easily. When Laura shifts from worried to obsessed, the drama grows not just in relationships but in her worldview.

Production Quality. Visually the show looks rich and striking: beautiful locations, stylish aesthetic, and cinematography worth noting.

Weaknesses. Predictability. While there is a twist at the end, it's far from revolutionary. Most of the beats are easy to anticipate, especially for viewers familiar with psychological thrillers.

Character Depth. Cherry, Laura, and Daniel remain close to archetypes: the protective mother, the daughter-in-law with a dark secret, the son caught between them.

Stylistic Extremes. At times the show leans into melodrama too overtly.

From Amazon I expected something more powerful - in the spirit of Reacher or The Terminal List, where action and story dynamics are stronger and the drama more balanced.

Verdict. What could have been a tight, gripping miniseries often feels like a pilot plus finale with too little in between.

If you're looking for fast-paced storytelling with expansive dynamics, this won't satisfy. A passable watch, but not a recommendation.

This is a slick and entertaining drama with a very well paced story, through the lens of two controlling women in a man's life. Throughout the series you can pretty much guess most of the outcomes, although there are some nice little twists and turns.

Olivia Cooke plays her role magnificently and its worth watching just for her amazing outfits. I feel they missed a trick and could've made this a dark comedy drama, as there were situations between the mother and son that the girlfriend picked up on, which could've been comedic.

What let's this show down is the penultimate scene in the final episode.....no spoilers. Watch for yourself as it doesn't completely ruin the experience, but it does make you think they could've written it better and the ending would still have the same impact.