A serial murder investigation case in a hospital is rare for its genre. ‘The Good Nurse’ is adapted from a true story based on the crime novel by Charles Graeber. This Netflix release is directed by the experienced Danish filmmaker Tobias Lindholm, who previously earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film with ‘A War’ (2015). The film stars two top actors, Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne. With the support of accomplished filmmakers and two Oscar-caliber stars, this film promises something classy.
Amy (Chastain) is a hospital nurse working hard to support her two daughters while dealing with her heart condition. Due to economic reasons, she conceals her health condition at work while awaiting insurance facilities she could get in four months. During a stressful situation, a new male nurse named Charles Cullen (Redmayne) is recruited. Knowing Amy’s condition, Charles tries to help her through difficult times. However, who would have thought that the calm figure of Charles is suspected of being a serial killer targeting his victims in the hospital?
Running at a slow tempo, the plot increasingly takes shape in line with the story. Our sympathy deepens for Amy, played so impressively by Chastain. The dilemma of financial situation and health conditions makes this character appear tired physically and mentally throughout the film. It’s not an easy role. Her new friend, Charles, has been distracting for half the duration. Is the figure of a friend who is so kind and caring not what we think he is? The plot’s intensity increases until the climax, and the investigation between Amy and the police is one thing that makes us more attached. A unique modus operandi that we have never heard of or seen before. And the actor, at the end of the story, shows his class with impressive acting.
‘The Good Nurse’ is a thriller biographical drama with a solid and intense script and captivating support from its cast. Its story still leaves many unanswered questions. A series of text information at the end provides a surprising fact for us. Our question is, why? Who is worse? Serial murder or the cover-up? The dark side of humans leaves many mysteries that have not been revealed. The figures of Amy and Cullen are only a small part of the balance between dark and light. ‘The Good Nurse,’ at least with its two leading stars, can be a dark horse in the Academy Awards next year.
