Name: The Good Nurse
Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery
Released: 2022-10-19T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Nnamdi Asomugha, Kim Dickens, Malik Yoba

The flickering glow of a hospital monitor casts long shadows across Jessica Chastain‘s exhausted face as Amy Loughren, a nurse battling a life-threatening heart condition, stares down the barrel of a moral dilemma. The Good Nurse opens with this gripping image, setting the stage for Tobias Lindholm’s tense thriller based on Charles Graeber’s true-crime book.

Lindholm, known for his work on A War and A Hijacking, brings his signature restraint to this chilling tale of a serial killer hiding in plain sight. The film stars Chastain as Amy Loughren, a compassionate nurse working double shifts to afford a heart transplant, and Eddie Redmayne as Charles Cullen, the enigmatic colleague who may be responsible for a series of mysterious patient deaths. The supporting cast, including Nnamdi Asomugha as detective Danny Baldwin and Kim Dickens as risk manager Linda Garran, is equally compelling.

The film’s strength lies in its performances and the disquieting tension that permeates every scene. Chastain delivers a powerhouse performance, infusing Amy with vulnerability and resilience. Her portrayal of a woman pushed to her physical and emotional limits is raw and unforgettable. We see this particularly in the scene where Amy collapses after discovering the holes in the IV bags—a moment that underscores both her determination and her fragility. Chastain’s ability to convey exhaustion, fear, and quiet strength makes Amy a compelling protagonist.

Redmayne, too, is exceptional, embodying Charlie’s quiet menace with unsettling subtlety. His performance is a masterclass in understatement, as he portrays a man who appears kind and empathetic on the surface but harbors dark secrets beneath. Redmayne’s ability to make Charlie both sympathetic and terrifying is one of the film’s standout achievements.

The chemistry between Chastain and Redmayne is palpable, making their cat-and-mouse game all the more gripping. Their scenes together are charged with tension, as Amy grapples with her growing suspicions about Charlie. The dynamic between them is nuanced and complex, adding depth to the film’s central mystery.

Lindholm’s direction is marked by a clinical precision that suits the hospital setting. He uses tight framing and muted colors to create an atmosphere of unease, while the sound design amplifies the tension with every beep of a monitor or distant echo of footsteps. The film’s pacing is deliberate, allowing the suspense to build gradually until it reaches a fever pitch. This approach is reminiscent of directors like David Fincher, who excel at creating immersive, claustrophobic thrillers.

However, The Good Nurse is not without its flaws. The narrative occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambition, with subplots and character developments that feel rushed or underdeveloped. For instance, the detectives’ investigation could have been more thoroughly explored, giving them more depth and agency. As it stands, they often serve as mere plot devices rather than fully realized individuals.

Moreover, while the performances are outstanding, some supporting characters feel one-dimensional. This is particularly true of Linda Garran, played by Kim Dickens. Her character is largely defined by her role as an obstructionist administrator, lacking the nuance that would make her more compelling. Similarly, the subplot involving Amy’s personal life, including her relationship with her daughter and her struggles with her heart condition, could have been better integrated into the main narrative.

Additionally, the film’s pacing, while effective in building tension, can at times test the viewer’s patience. There are moments where the deliberate pace feels more like a drag than a deliberate choice, particularly in the film’s middle act. This is a common pitfall for thrillers that prioritize atmosphere over momentum, and The Good Nurse occasionally succumbs to it.

Despite these shortcomings, The Good Nurse is a chilling and thought-provoking thriller that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s exploration of themes like institutional failure and moral complicity is timely and relevant, particularly in the wake of high-profile cases involving healthcare negligence and systemic flaws. Lindholm’s ability to weave these themes into a gripping narrative makes The Good Nurse more than just a thriller—it’s a commentary on the state of our healthcare system and the individuals who navigate it.

The film is also notable for its commitment to realism. Lindholm and his team clearly did their homework, creating an authentic portrayal of hospital life that feels grounded in reality. This attention to detail extends to the performances, with Chastain and Redmayne immersing themselves in their roles to create believable, nuanced characters.

In terms of genre fit, The Good Nurse straddles the line between thriller and drama, making it a unique offering in an overcrowded field. While it may not have the high-octane action or elaborate set pieces of more conventional thrillers, its strength lies in its character-driven storytelling and atmospheric tension.

Ultimately, The Good Nurse is a film that will resonate with viewers who appreciate nuanced performances, thoughtful themes, and a slow-burn approach to suspense. It’s not a perfect film—its pacing can be uneven, and some characters are underdeveloped—but its strengths more than make up for its shortcomings.

For fans of true-crime stories, psychological thrillers, or just well-crafted dramas, The Good Nurse is a must-watch. It’s a film that demands your attention and rewards it with a gripping narrative, outstanding performances, and thought-provoking themes.