Released: 18th September 2020
Number of Episodes: 8
Certificate: 18
Created by: Ryan Murphy
Starring: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wootrock, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davies and Sharon Stone
1975’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was a brilliantly acted and sublimely presented production. One of its most memorable aspects was its callous lead antagonist; Ratched seeks to take advantage of the titular nurse’s memorable ruthlessness with an origin story. For the most part it succeeds.
Many years before she became the notorious head of Oregon’s mental institution, Mildred Ratched (Portrayed in the series by Sarah Paulson) was manipulating her way into a Northern Californian organisation. Led by the paranoid Dr. Richard Hannover (Jon Jon Briones), several patients and unethical treatment methods begin to emerge. Whether its slithering her way through the ranks or making unsavoury uses of others, we slowly learn more about Ratched’s past and the real motives behind her deeds. It alternates mainly between scenes heavy on dialogue and other more suspenseful moments that build up the shocks that befall the characters. On occasion though, we’re also treated to a flashback or two and these stand out as the most interesting elements of the story; they shed light on many of the hidden details and are woven seamlessly into the eight episodes. With that said, the series does sometimes veer away from its focus on mental health treatment which is closely tied to the main protagonist. The depths it reaches to in this regard fall a little short as a result.
There’s a big focus on characterisation in Ratched and the cast is given many opportunities to make their roles felt. Though she isn’t always the guiding force behind the plot, Sarah Paulson’s performance as the character is great; she really deepens the audience’s understanding of the nurse. In the series, she hasn’t quite morphed into that fully cold, unfeeling matron we see in the film and we see a greater range of emotion from her. Paulson is backed up by the likes of Finn Wootrock, Cynthia Nixon and Judy Davies, who are all equally impressive. The latter in particular represents a bitter feud at the mental hospital which leads to some tense exchanges. Some performances however do push that line and reach into cartoonish silliness. The biggest offender is Charlotte Wells (Sophie Okenedo), with an affliction of multiple personality disorder that feels too over-the-top to be believable. Other side characters also go by underused; Alice Englert as Nurse Dolly is used for a clichéd “Bonnie and Clyde” styled sequence and quickly put aside. Other guest stars like Corey Stoll and Vincent D’Onofrio as the state governor are also well done, but they don’t quite fit fully into the greater story at play, often appearing for brief intervals.
In a major difference from the washed-out palette of the film, Ratched is abstract and colourful, making use of a vibrant aesthetic that clashes with the brutality on display. The film’s lighting is constantly on display, making use of bright reds and greens to represent the character’s moods. The bright view through the lens also extends across its setting, costume work and set design, making for a very visually pleasing series all around. The irony is that this viewpoint is also marked by grisly violence, torturous moments involving boiling hot baths and forced lobotomies. These instances are often accompanied by piercing violin pieces which also clash with the brighter scenery. In short, the characters seemingly exist in an alternate vacuum divorced from the optimistic landscape of America following World War Two, which sets them apart from the overall presentation.
For all the lofty ambitions it has in living up to the source material, Ratched is a worthwhile attempt at taking a different approach. The performances, with some exceptions, are strong and overall, the eight episodes do work well at expanding the protagonist at the centre. For the planned second season, it will need to back up its style with a more cohesive narrative and characters.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars (Good