The Patient Premiere Early Review

The following is a review of the first 3 episodes of The Patient, premiering next Tuesday on Disney Plus Star and Hulu.

Even the simplest of premises can still be effective given the right circumstances. The Patient may not be all that much at its surface; however, this limited series still has quite a lot going for it. Essentially a two-character piece amidst a psychological thriller, it is a slow burn where the tension comes from the unravelling of layers as it digs deeper into its main characters. Through the first 3 episodes, it’d be wrong to expect those pieces to come together right away. That being said, the story is definitely heading in that direction, adding context and depth along the way. Running at roughly 30 minutes per episode, the series isn’t the most demanding of watches but it is an easy binge that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats or waiting for something to happen as its slower pace will almost certainly not be for everyone. In the end, what makes the series work so far is the stellar chemistry of Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson as the two leads, especially since they take up most of the screen time.

The Patient follows, Alan Strauss (Carell), a therapist who is held prisoner by one of his latest patients, Sam Fortner (Gleeson). Revealing himself to be a serial killer, this was all part of Sam’s unconventional plan to use him to help him curb his homicidal urges. To survive his current predicament, Alan must venture into the depths of Sam’s disturbed mind to stop him from killing again. This task would be easier said than done as Sam proved to be closed-off and uncooperative. In order to make real progress, Alan would need to build a repour with Sam who appeared to have every aspect planned out in advance on paper. However, things weren’t necessarily going according to plan therefore he was forced to adapt. Meanwhile, Alan had his own issues to deal with, including mourning the recent death of his wife Beth (Laura Niemi) and the subsequent estrangement from the rest of his family.

As mentioned, the most compelling part of The Patient so far is getting to know Alan and Sam through the lens of their shared adversity. A successful and renowned therapist, Alan has helped countless patients over the course of his career but the weight of those patients and their issues seemed to have taken a toll though he had his ways to cope. Behind the calm and mild-mannered demeanor was some real pain as those feelings had to be put on the backburner for the situation at hand which may or may not be more than what it appeared. In spite of who Sam was or claimed to be and what he did to him, Alan’s instinct was to help or at least convince Sam that he was helping. That internal conflict between helping Sam and himself made for plenty of tension due to the unpredictability of the location he found himself in and Sam who was a wildcard to say the least as he remains a mystery who could explode at any moment. Keeping things mostly in one location and from Alan’s perspective, the series keeps him as well as viewers guessing as he spends a considerable amount of time off screen. By the end of the premiere, it will become very clear what Alan is dealing with.

In the end, the best part of The Patient was the performances of Carell and Gleeson and their stellar chemistry as Alan and Sam. Admittedly a slow burn, they nonetheless carry it through those slower moments. Carell in particular was the standout, doing so much with so little with a subtly nuanced performance as the tortured therapist, internally and literally. Alan is perhaps a different character than most are used to from him but nevertheless, he pulls viewers into his distress both internal and literal. A relatable everyman, it is easy to connect with his unease and the overwhelming tension of the moment. Gleeson’s Sam did not have nearly as much to do though the character is a compelling enigma waiting to be solved. While he’s believable as the tortured yet misguided young man, some will be left wanting more. All thing considered that dynamic is a promising one that looks to only get better.

Viewers just have to be patient with the roller coaster that is The Patient.

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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.