The Shrink Next Door Early Review

When Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd are cast in anything, the chemistry is clearly going to be there. When it comes to The Shrink Next Door, a dramedy limited series based on a true story, they certainly deliver in what was an often hilarious and sometimes unsettling watch. This story may be so ridiculous on paper but it still works thanks to the stellar performances of Ferrell and Rudd and their dynamic over the course of the series made it work. Playing perhaps not as flashy of roles as most of us are used to seeing from them, they each command the screen while delivering some of their best work in recent memory. Though the premise does drag and become a little on the repetitive side in the middle, Ferrell and Rudd are a blast to watch thanks to that aforementioned chemistry. Meanwhile, Kathryn Hahn’s great year continues with a meaty supporting role where she steals scenes. However, it often seemed like the series didn’t know what to do with her at times which was sad.

The Shrink Next Door chronicles the unusual relationship over the course of several decades between a emotionally-fragile man named Marty Markowitz (Ferrell) and his psychiatrist, Dr. Ike Herschkopf (Rudd). Following the death of his parents, a man who was already a powder keg of insecurities was thrust into a position that he clearly wasn’t ready for, leading the family business. The consummate people pleaser, Markowitz was seemingly preprogrammed to avoid conflict therefore his personality left him prone to be taken advantage of. Those who are familiar with the true story can probably figure out what happens next but it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone anyway as the series set it up for the right person to swoop in. In this case, it was Herschkopf or at least it didn’t start off that way.

Wanting to help a patient like any other, Herschkopf appeared to genuinely be helping the emotionally-vulnerable Markowitz who seemed to be doing better following his first few appointments as he became more assertive. However, the more time the two spent with one another, that dynamic started to evolve as the shady doctor began to show his true colors. Learning that Markowitz and his family were surprisingly wealthy, Herschkopf’s primary motivation seemed to change. As far as the former knew, he was still being helped but it will soon become abundantly clear that he was being taken advantage of. From there, the situation snowballed ridiculously from there while Markowitz was none the wiser. Though it was clear what he ultimately had to do, the season drags in the middle, pushing the ridiculous until that eventual inevitable moment. That being said, that moment was glorious because one can’t help but care for Markowitz, wanting him to be better and snap out of the spell he was under, and love to hate Herschkopf, a charming snake.

In the end, The Shrink Next Door works in spite of its ridiculousness thanks to the stellar performances from Ferrell and Rudd. Arguably more subdued than many are used to seeing from him, Ferrell makes Markowitz into a relatable yet tragic figure thanks to his charisma and screen presence. He was essentially the straight man to Rudd’s Herschkopf whose campy and over-the-top performance as the incredibly charming yet ridiculous psychiatrist stole scenes. What made that dynamic work so well was the pre-established chemistry between Ferrell and Rudd who play off of each other beautifully. Meanwhile, another bright spot was Kathryn Hahn continues her run this year with another knockout performance as Markowitz’s sister Phyllis. It was just a shame that the series did not tap into that nearly enough as it should have.

Overall, The Shrink Next Door is sure to be the next binge-worthy obsession.

still courtesy of Apple

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.