As a die-hard cinephile who enjoys big blockbusters and small indie gems alike, I was thrilled when I heard Netflix was producing a film based on the chilling real-life case of serial killer nurse Charlie Cullen. Starring two talented Oscar winners like Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne, “The Good Nurse” promised to be an unsettling psychological thriller exploring the twisted motivations behind Cullen’s crimes.
And I must say this movie did not disappoint me at all. Although it avoids falling into cheap sensationalism or gratuitousness, “The Good Nurse” manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats during its 121-minute runtime. The tension builds subtly, and the intelligent script takes its time to develop the complicated dynamic between the negligent but well-intentioned nurse Amy Loughren (Chastain) and the calculating and charismatic Cullen (Redmayne).
A sober thriller
What I liked most about “The Good Nurse” is that it never feels like it’s attempting to exploit the atrociousness of Cullen’s crimes to generate morbid drama or shock value. There is an almost documentary-like focus on the filmmaking and storytelling, avoiding manipulative or flashy tricks. Even when Cullen is about to commit another murder before our eyes, the camera refrains from fetishizing the violence. Instead, it subtly invites us to wonder how someone apparently so affable can harbor such a disturbed mind.
Redmayne is virtually unrecognizable as the ominous yet charismatic Cullen, a chameleon who perfectly adapts to any situation without raising suspicions around him. His chemistry with Chastain is excellent, conveying the complex codependency between the naïve Amy and the manipulative Charlie. The film suggests, very intelligently, that Amy shares a certain “willful blindness” with her hospital superiors, who were also unable to see Cullen’s evil right in front of them.
A realistic and cautionary finale
The tense but realistic climax offered by “The Good Nurse” also seemed right to me, showing that justice isn’t always served dramatically as in the movies. It avoids catharsis and easy satisfaction, reminding us that the real story seldom has perfect closure. I liked this refusal from Hollywood to sweeten reality, maintaining the haunting essence of the case through to the closing credits.
In summary, as a film lover I think “The Good Nurse” is one of those rare films based on true events that really brings something to the genre. It goes beyond sheer entertainment to also work as social commentary that leaves audiences thinking. Truthfully, once it was over I couldn't help but wonder how many Charlie Cullens might be out there working as caregivers to vulnerable people. And that, to me, is a sign that this movie fulfills its edifying purpose. If you are a fan of intelligent suspense I strongly recommend it to you.