If you’re in the market for a mind-bending psychological thriller, the last person you’re expecting to see is probably Michael Scott. Even still, Hulu’s original mini-series The Patient is the perfect example of Steve Carell’s surprisingly stellar dramatic acting capabilities. The series runs just ten episodes in total, and tells the gripping story of a therapist who is kidnapped and held captive by a crazed serial killer, intent on curbing his own twisted urges. It’s sort of Dexter meets the Melfi scenes in The Sopranos, and it’s the perfect show for a quick weekend binge.
I first became aware of The Patient back when it premiered in 2022, and binge-watched every episode in just two sittings with a friend. From the advertisements I’d seen for the show, I surmised that Steve Carell would be eschewing his usual screwball comedy routine, though I had no idea how strong his performance would ultimately be. I recall seeing other Steve Carell dramas like Foxcatcher in the past, and while I enjoyed seeing him play against type, I wasn’t especially blown away. In The Patient, Carell delivers with enough gravitas to command your attention for all ten episodes, rivaled only by Domhnall Gleeson‘s twisted Sam Fortner.
Early on in The Patient, we’re introduced to Carell’s Dr. Alan Strauss. He’s a therapist who has a tense relationship with his son, currently in the throes of depression after the recent loss of his wife. He’s also suffering a crisis of faith, which further alienates him from his highly devout and religious son. After taking on a new patient by the name of Sam, Alan is knocked unconscious, kidnapped, and chained to a radiator in a cramped basement. Upon waking up, Alan learns that Sam is a serial killer seeking psychiatric help.
At first, Alan attempts to talk his way out of the basement using his superior therapist intellect. He implores Sam to seek help through more traditional means by turning himself in, and highlights that keeping a middle-aged professional hostage will quickly become a logistical nightmare. Even still, Sam presses on, providing Alan with just enough amenities to keep him alive and focused on their unguided sessions. The only upside to Alan’s imprisonment is the food, since Sam is a very picky restaurant inspector with access to all the finest restaurants in town.
The premise may seem a little bare bones, but The Patient winds up delivering some truly gripping material over the course of a single season. The show explores themes of faith and resilience, the relationship between mental health and family, and draws some stark comparisons to the plight of those victimized during the Holocaust. The penultimate episode of the series is even titled “Auschwitz.” I even learned a few interesting things about the Jewish faith over the course of my binge, which brings some seriously unique color to the entire show.
If you’re hoping to see Steve Carell ham it up in an Office-style comedy, you’ll definitely turn this show off after the first episode. But, if you’re open to seeing the comedian grapple with his faith, his career, and his strained relationship with his family while intermittently threatened by a lunatic, this might be the best thing you’ll see all year. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and it will surely make you very hungry for a gourmet meal. The Patient is currently streaming on Hulu.
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