The Shrink Next Door

Everyone in this show ticks me off. Dr. Ike is a horrible person, Marty, just pisses you off with his decisions. Phyllis is overbearing... The list could go on and on. All that being said, they are all perfect. The casting is amazing, the acting is spot on. The emotions I am feeling while watching this train-wreck are excellently crafted and executed. Every episode leaves me feeling anxiety ridden and exhausted. A great watch, but I could not imagine binging this show.

This is the perfect forum for Rudd and Farrell. Their quirky chemistry is evident right off the bat. I love the way it obliquely goes for the heart. It's unlike anything else I've seen in a while. Looking forward to the whole season.

Paul Rudd and Will Ferrel are are exceptional together in this; it's interesting to see a more dramatic version of the characters. A perfect representation of mental breakdowns or any other underlining stress related experiences. I'm loving the series so far and I hope many more do too!

... but that doesn't mean it's bad. The negative reviews reflect people's expectations, not the quality of the show.

"Not realistic" ... says one review. Problem Is, it's based on a true story.

"Not funny" ... but it's not supposed to be. Two mostly comedic actors play the two leading roles. Their comedic chops make the representation of these two characters pretty ideal. Farrell's innocence and Rudd's slick cockiness really work for these two people.

Watch as long as you're ready to be infuriated from watching the story of an influential man take advantage of a naive person who has never learned to stand up for himself. The fact you get infuriated means Farrell and Rudd are doing a great job.

My Review - The Shrink Next Door - My rating 8/10 I never thought I'd be so impressed with Will Ferrell in a dramatic role this series just proves to me not to judge any actor on one aspect of their career.

Will Ferrell has always seemed to me to be a one dimensional comedian and I have to admit I've found him irritating.

Not so anymore his role as the shy impressionable self deprecating Jewish businessman Marty Markowitz ripe for exploitation and manipulation by psychiatrist Ike played by Paul Rudd was a revelation to me.

If this was a movie instead of an 8 part television series both actors would be up for Academy Award consideration in my opinion.

The premise of the Shrink Next Door based on a podcast and TV series both based on the real life story of psychiatrist Isaac Herschkopf, who in 2021 was determined by New York's Department of Health to have violated "minimal acceptable standards of care in the psychotherapeutic relationship.

For this viewer it was like watching a spider coax its willing prey into its web then attacking .

In this case the spider is Ike the Psych not killing but stealing the life of its prey gullible Marty by alienating his willing victim from family and friends until any semblance of self reliance is extinguished.

The Shrink Next Door is not a heavy drama it has moments of great warmth and insight and a wonderful script by 3 women and 3 men.

The Directors Jesse Peretz and Michael Showalter have skilfully created the best series featuring a male duet performance I've seen this year both Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd are mesmerising in the creation of these complex characters I found myself wondering who was the more unwell the patient or the Psychiatrist?

I'm so glad I was recommended by a friend to watch this wonderful series

Ps Kathryn Hahn is wonderful as Marty's feisty sister a great character performance.