The Patient - A Hulu Series Review

It is important to use your words. They’re more important than you think.

The Patient is a 2022 Hulu series. Kidnapped by his patient, Dr. Alan Straus learns that he is a serial killer. With an unusual request, Alan needs to choose his words carefully if he is going to get out of this situation alive.

From the very first episode, The Patient is a dramatic and enticing series. The Patient teaches viewers how valid communication is in any given situation. With the build-up leading to the climax, I am not satisfied with the ending.

If Steve Carell doesn’t get nominated for his genuine and emotionally moving portrayal then we must be watching two different shows. Carell has come a long way as an actor. In his role as a hardworking and motivated therapist, Dr. Alan Straus uses anything in his willpower to protect himself. Mostly, his words. He dictated his body language to the utmost degree.

Carell did a great job examining the mindset of a therapist. Going through his own dilemmas, Alan learns coping skills of his own. Alan’s monologue in the final episode was dictated wonderfully by Carell. It is my favorite scene of the show. I almost teared up because of all the emotion that inhabits it.

Starring at you with bleak eyes and watching your every movement, Domhnall Gleeson is amazing. Sam is a troubled man. He knows that. You never know when he is going to snap. Hard to read, Sam is willing to listen.

Both actors succeeded in their performances, cementing a bond that’s a mix of predator and friendship. Carell and Gleeson shared the best scenes. They studied their dialogue with close attention to any underlying layers that we can’t see.

Let’s talk about the positive message enforced on therapists. If you’re skeptical, this show proves that therapists are here to help you. The violent acts seen in The Patient are not to be copied, but this show demonstrates how proper communication could save you. That’s what the show is all about.

The show exhibits an eerie tone from the first episode. Direction by Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg was excellent, maintaining audience focus. Based mainly on the action in some episodes, they directed everything in a tight-knit.

Driving on a simple premise, but also very complex. This is a show that we have never seen before. The screenplay was effective. The dialogue for The Patient should be recognized. It’s a thrilling drama that gets into your head. The series is easy to follow.

The setting plays an immense role. Taking place in a basement, the room is furnished with comfortable furniture and looks like your average home. But, it’s not. Occupying too much space in frames, the dark atmosphere and tension are evident.

I noticed that episodes kept getting longer in length. It dragged out the time. The episodes should have been 20-30 minutes in length and not over 40 minutes. The added duration dragged out the story. By the end, not much transpired other than talking.

With the subject matter, the story remained honest and true. Up until the last episode. The final episode is not satisfying. The main character is put in a violent position, a trait that is way out of character for them! And with the depth and growth he experiences, it all felt meaningless. I was hoping for a different turnout.

Take a look at The Patient on Hulu. I still enjoyed it for what it was. The lingering suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat.