It’s 1947 when Edmund Tolleson kills four priests, one of them is his father. Six months later, he is taken to Santa Lucia State Hospital. Here begins the story of the psychological thriller out on Netlix. Ryan Murphy’s direction, a pastel coloured cinematography, distinctive costumes for every character and the perfect soundtrack that creates a noir retro atmosphere.
It would already be perfect but if this is not enough, the real crown jewel of the show is without any doubt Sarah Paulson’s flawless interpretation. Ratched is mainly a female universe. A disturbing and obsessive reality dominated by women, their fearlessness and their actions; even though it is well portrayed the gender gap of that time. The intriguing plot of the series could not exist without the characters that live in it.
First of all, her. The main character that gives the name to the story. Brilliantly played by Sarah Paulson, Mildred Ratched is a mysterious, elegant, woman, hurt by a past that cannot give her peace. She arrives at the Santa Lucia State Hospital, determined to get a job as nurse. Manipulative and persuasive, she can soon obtain her patients’ trust showing them mercy and she conquers the director’s faith, easily pushing him to do what she wants. However, the empathy she is able of, sometimes becomes wicked perversion. Behind her severe and inscrutable attitude, Ratched hides a dark side that makes her character even more fascinating.
Edmund Tolleson, played by Finn Wittrock, is a murderous and mentally unstable man. His stare can be either frightening or innocent and unpredictable. He is the reason why Mildred Ratched arrives at the Santa Lucia State Hospital.
Betsy Buckett, played by Judy Davis, is one of the leading female characters. Buckett is the head-nurse of Santa Lucia State Hospital, faithfully working for director’s Richard Hanover. Antagonist of Ratched, she doesn’t trust her since the beginning. However, their relationship will undergo an unexpected change.
Doctor Richard Hanover, played by Jon Jon Briones, is the director of Santa Lucia State Hospital. Obsessed by his intention to heal human mind, he uses torture experiments such as lobotomy. Persuaded by his trust to Ratched, he confesses her he’s being followed because of a terrible mistake he did in the past.
Leonor Osgood, played by an extremely fascinating muse, Sharon Stone. She is a rich heiress, an independent and fearless woman that is not afraid to get what she wants. A real modern feminist if we think about the years the show is set.
Gwendolyn Briggs, played by a huge actress, Cynthia Nixon. Of course, that’s her! Miranda Hobbes from Sex and the City. However, her role in Ratched is so far away from Miranda but she is able to play it brilliantly. Briggs is the governor of California’s press secretary. In her own way, she is another role model of feminist emancipation. In fact, she is a resourceful ambitious woman, interested in politics. She takes us to the reality of women’s club. As soon as she meets Ratched, she decides to break her lavender marriage, determined to live her real feelings without any fear.
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