The Girlfriend review: Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke shine in the escapist thriller

Is Laura’s concern justified, or is she just being paranoid?

This is basically a melodrama about high-powered women engaging in subterfuge and intrigue. The series is adapted from the 2017 novel of the same name by Michelle Frances. Wright directs the first three episodes of the six-episode series while Irish filmmaker Andrea Harkin does the honours for the rest.

The story is presented from different POVs. We see Laura’s and Cherry’s versions of the same events and are able to arrive at an unbiased understanding of what transpires between the two. This game of high-stakes psychological warfare provides some startling insights when seen from contrasting perspectives.

Tears for fears’ “Everybody Rules the World” plays on as Laura welcomes home her son, Daniel, a medical student in his final year. He reveals to her that he has a new girlfriend who reminds him of Laura…and that’s enough to get the war going.

Laura thinks Cherry is a gold-digger while her husband, Howard (Waleed Zuaiter), a financier with deep pockets, is charmed by Cherry. When Cherry goes along on the family’s annual vacation to Málaga, the battle lines are drawn. Eventually, the mother and the girlfriend get embroiled in a twisted battle over Daniel’s affections.

The incestuous tones are parried away by Cherry’s dodgy behaviour. So it becomes quite difficult to take sides. Both characters have darker shades that render them unsympathetic. So you don’t really root for either to win. It’s the war between the two that gives you the highs here. And it’s a delightful sight to relish. The two women at the centre of it do things no sane person would be caught dead doing. You can take it all in with a pinch of salt because of the measured performances and the tricky dialogue.

The upscale backdrop, suitable set design, flattering costumes, beautiful locales and great production values make this a glossy production of devilishly enjoyable escapist fare.