The Girlfriend Season 1 Review: A Show of Secrets and Manipulation

From the beginning of The Girlfriend, we know something bad is going to happen eventually. At first glance, in the first minutes of the show, it may seem as if Cherry’s storyline is about to be similar to Netflix’s You.

Cherry meets a man she likes, does everything in her power to get him, indirectly kills the obstacle between her and the man, and gets her happy ending. She could then move on and repeat the same actions.

However, as we continue to meet these two women (Laura and Cherry), we understand that neither of them is inherently good. They both cross lines that no other person would, and that is what makes the show such a success.

A Creepy Mother/Son Duo

Even though Cherry’s behavior is completely extreme and irrational, one can understand why she calls out Laura and Daniel’s relationship so much. From the moment the series starts, viewers can tell they have a weird, co-dependent relationship.

Howard goes so far as to call the relationship between his wife and his son an obsession. Yes, we can understand that Laura is afraid to lose Daniel, just as she lost Rose, so she does everything in her power to hold on to him.

Nevertheless, their behavior walks the line of the inappropriate at all times. Or at least until Daniel realizes his mother lied to Cherry about his accident.

The creepiness of this relationship stands out the most when we first meet them, and Daniel tells Laura that his mother reminds him of his new girlfriend, while she points out that his new girlfriend reminds him of her. There is something there that just makes us feel completely uneasy about what’s to come (rightfully so).

The close-ups of Daniel touching Cherry while Laura watches and her catching them in a sexual act just add to this unease that we feel all throughout the series.

The Red Names

The Girlfriend makes it clear that the show is about Laura and Cherry. Yes, their connection to other characters matters, but it is them who keep the show going.

This is established from the beginning, as every episode is divided between Laura’s point of view and Cherry’s POV. Their names are written in red font, making the sinister energy of the show stand out.

Even though their POVs essentially go through the same events, they are extremely different depending on who we’re focusing on. It is hard for the viewer to know exactly what and who to believe in when the story changes key details based on the woman we’re listening to.

The final episode is the only one that isn’t split into different POVs, making us believe this is the first time we’re getting the true story. The show becomes Daniel’s because he is the one to kill his mother and later discover the truth about Cherry.

The back and forth in time and between these women gives us a more rounded story, even if we don’t know what is real. However, by focusing solely on Laura and Cherry, we don’t dig deeper into other characters.

Even if we get their POVs, we still barely scratch the surface of who they are. That is probably what makes the show so intriguing. None of them is good; they both lie and manipulate, so who are we to like? Who are we to believe in?

Secrets and Manipulation

While the storyline of The Girlfriend is this complicated relationship between Laura, Cherry, and Daniel, the show is based on secrets and manipulation. No character is ever truly honest, and they are all hiding something for their own benefit.

Cherry seems to be the one carrying most of the secrets. From the beginning, we know she is lying about her background, her family, and her past relationships.

Beyond the ex-boyfriend she’s been stalking, it is her mother’s comments that make us suspect there is a lot more to Cherry than meets the eye. She mentions an “old Cherry” who scares her and how she won’t be able to protect her this time.

Eventually, we discover what happened with her father. But it is her mother who untangles her web of lies, giving Laura the truth she always suspected. The truth that Daniel discovers a little too late.

The Girlfriend is the perfect thriller to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. You never know what to expect or what to believe in, and that’s why it works.

Laura and Cherry are flawed, secretive, and manipulative characters. Even though we don’t like them, we can’t stop watching them because there is an enigmatic aura that keeps us glued to them.

And to top it all off, the soundtrack of the show goes perfectly with who they are and why we can’t stop watching. Every song highlights what is happening and who these characters are.

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The Girlfriend is available to stream on Prime Video.

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