The Girlfriend is one of the most compelling TV dramas of 2025: a dark, seductive psychological thriller that keeps you riveted from the first frame to its haunting finale.
At its core, the show spins around a fierce, tension-filled battle between Laura (portrayed by Robin Wright) and Cherry (played by Olivia Cooke), each staking her claim over Daniel (played by Laurie Davidson). Laura is the elegant, powerful mother who sees danger in Cherry; Cherry is charming, ambitious, unpredictable — or perhaps deeply wounded. Through this torn triangle, power, class, desire, and obsession collide.
The performances are extraordinary. Robin Wright brings an icy elegance to Laura but also a raw emotional fragility — a woman who will stop at nothing to protect what she sees as hers. Olivia Cooke is magnetic as Cherry, switching effortlessly between vulnerability and defiance. Laurie Davidson’s Daniel is pulled in so many directions; he’s often the emotional battleground between the two women, and Davidson gives him a believable arc of confusion and escalation.
Supporting actors like Waleed Zuaiter (as Howard), Tanya Moodie, Shalom Brune-Franklin, and Anna Chancellor enrich the world around the central triangle, adding depth and counterpoints to the tension. The ensemble cast weaves together a believable yet heightened world of secrets and shifting loyalties.
Directing is one of the show’s strongest assets. The series is co-directed by Robin Wright and Andrea Harkin, and you can feel their distinct stamp — every shot is precise, every reveal intentional. The pacing is tight, the tone is taut, and the show builds suspense through visual storytelling as much as through dialogue. The use of lighting, shadow, reflections, and mirrored surfaces enhances the sense that characters are watching one another, hiding things, or trying to see through masks. The direction doesn’t just show the conflict, it makes you feel it.
What’s particularly clever is the way the narrative often gives both women their own version of events. You’re forced to question whom to believe, and the shifting perspectives make every scene pregnant with doubt. Are we watching Cherry as villain, or a woman trapped in someone else’s narrative? Is Laura a protective mother, or a manipulator? The show thrives in that gray zone.
Critically, the reception has been largely positive: The Girlfriend currently holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers and reviewers alike praise its addictive twists, the moral ambiguity, and especially its daring performances. Some find occasional lapses in realism or excess drama, but these seldom dent the overall impact.
In sum, The Girlfriend delivers a polished, provocative drama elevated by superb acting and clear directorial vision. It’s not just entertaining — it’s the kind of show that demands attention, invites debate, and lingers with you long after the credits roll.