Review: ‘The Good Nurse,’ Netflix’s Latest True Crime Offering, is Intense and Thrilling, Despite its Slow Pace

Tobias Lindholm makes his English language film debut with “The Good Nurse,” a chilling true-crime drama starring Eddie Redmayne as Charles Cullen, an American serial killer who killed his victims while working as a nurse in numerous hospitals across America. While the film only documents Charles’ time working at one hospital, murdering only two patients, it’s suspected that he was responsible for approximately 400 deaths over his 16-year-career. Lindholm’s film not only tells the story of one man’s undetectable killing spree, but also shows how hospitals chose to turn a blind eye to the unexplainable deaths. 

Jessica Chastain stars as Amy Loughren, an ICU nurse working at the fictional Parkfield Memorial Hospital in New Jersey, who’s suffering from a life-threatening heart condition while trying to do her job and provide for her young children. When new nurse Charles arrives on Amy’s shift, they soon develop a friendship and Charles helps Amy manage her condition and care for her children. When multiple suspicious deaths in the ICU are brought to the attention of the police, an investigation begins uncovering grisly secrets about Charles that point to him as the prime suspect. Amy then joins forces with the police in order to take Charles down and keep her and her children safe. 

Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne Give Stellar Performances

“The Good Nurse” is led by knockout performances from its leads, with Redmayne giving a bone-chilling turn as Charles Cullen that ends up being one of the actor’s best performances. Redmayne’s performance leaves the actor almost unrecognisable as he brings a complex man with a hidden dark side to the screen.

Opposite Redmayne, and fresh off her Oscar win for portraying televangelist Tammy Faye, Jessica Chastain gives another remarkable performance that reminds you exactly why she won her Oscar. Her portrayal of Amy brings the nurse’s kindness, care, and willingness to help others to the screen and makes for a perfect contrast to Redmayne’s unnerving performance. Redmayne and Chastain share some intense scenes across the two-hours, arguably the best parts of the film. This, along with Lindholm’s ability to expertly build nail-biting tension, constantly keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. 

Cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes (“Manchester by the Sea”) makes superb use of the cold, empty hospital corridors and wards to provide “The Good Nurse” with sterile, yet stunning, visuals. The cool-toned visuals compliment Cullen’s hidden sadistic nature and help to make the film even more eerie and unsettling. However, one of the film’s few downfalls is the pacing, at times leaving it feeling more sluggish and lethargic than intense and thrilling. This slow pace also then results in it having to resort to relying on the shock factor and tension to keep interest for the whole two hours. 

Slow-Paced, but a Creepy Addition to Netflix’s ‘True Crime’ Genre

“The Good Nurse” is another one of the award-worthy flicks being pumped out of Netflix’s never-ending production line in the streamer’s attempt for awards success after losing ‘Best Picture’ at the Oscars last year to Apple TV’s “CODA.” Netflix is in luck this time around, as the shining turns from both leads, combined with superb filmmaking, make it almost destined to receive recognition during this year’s awards season. However, the busy awards season may result in “The Good Nurse” drowning amongst the other Netflix films competing for awards success (e.g., Noah Baumbach’s “White Noise” or Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Bardo” to name a few). 

Based on the true story of one man’s disturbing killing spree, “The Good Nurse” is a gripping true-crime drama that showcases two masterful performances from Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne. Lindholm’s English language film debut is intense, thrilling and thoroughly entertaining, and despite the occasional slow pace, is a great way to fill two hours of your time. 

“The Good Nurse” is currently available to watch on Netflix via subscription. 

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