The Good Nurse

The Good Nurse is a 2022 American psychological thriller film directed by Tobias Lindholm and written by Craig Sharon and John Logan. The movie is based on a true story and adapted from Charles Graeber's 2013 book of the same name. The film stars Eddie Redmayne as Charles Cullen, a devoted and highly skilled nurse, and Jessie Buckley as Amy Loughren, a colleague and friend of Cullen. As the movie begins, we see Charles Cullen, a dedicated and meticulous nurse at Somerset Medical Center in New Jersey. He is a hard worker who is respected by his colleagues for his exceptional skills and his commitment to providing top-notch care to his patients. However, beneath his polished exterior, Cullen has a deep-seated psychological issue - a compulsive need to control and manipulate those around him. Meanwhile, Amy Loughren, a seasoned nurse, is struggling with personal and professional issues. Her marriage is on the rocks, and she is working multiple shifts to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, Loughren is a caring and compassionate nurse who is beloved by her patients. When a new nurse, Tim, joins the hospital, Loughren befriends him, and the two share a friendly rapport. As the story unfolds, Loughren becomes increasingly suspicious of Cullen's behavior. She begins to notice a pattern of patients under Cullen's care dying suddenly and inexplicably. At first, she dismisses her concerns, thinking that Cullen is simply a talented and attentive nurse. However, as the deaths continue, Loughren starts to investigate and becomes convinced that Cullen is responsible for the patients' deaths. As Loughren digs deeper, she discovers that Cullen has a dark past. In 1984, he attempted to take his own life by hanging himself, but was saved by hospital staff. This traumatic event had a profound impact on Cullen, leaving him with feelings of abandonment and inadequacy. Loughren becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the patients' deaths and begins to secretly investigate Cullen's background. Loughren's investigation is a cat-and-mouse game, as she carefully gathers evidence and tries to stay one step ahead of Cullen. Throughout the film, the tension builds as Loughren struggles to reconcile her growing suspicion of Cullen with her genuine affection for him as a colleague and friend. As the stakes become higher, Loughren must confront her own vulnerabilities and confront the darkness that lies within Cullen. The movie takes a dark turn when Loughren uncovers disturbing evidence that suggests Cullen is indeed responsible for the patients' deaths. The film's climax is a nail-biting sequence in which Loughren tries to expose Cullen's crimes to her superiors, despite feeling intimidated and threatened. The Good Nurse is a gripping and unsettling film that raises important questions about the complexities of human behavior and the fragility of the human psyche. Eddie Redmayne delivers a remarkable performance as Cullen, capturing the nuances of a complex and troubled individual. Jessie Buckley shines as Loughren, conveying the character's vulnerability and determination. The film's direction by Lindholm is masterful, creating an atmosphere of creeping unease and tension. In the end, the movie leaves audiences with a haunting question: What drives someone to commit such heinous crimes? Is it a twisted desire for power, a need for control, or something deeper and more primal? The Good Nurse is a thought-provoking thriller that challenges our assumptions and forces us to confront the darkness that lies within us all.