It really is a great premise: serial killer kidnaps psychiatrist and demands to be "fixed". Also great casting with Carrell and Gleason. Unfortunately, it all falls apart in the execution, with the flaws magnified by the format. Rather than being swept along by the narrative and the suspense, one has plenty of time to contemplate the shortcomings between episodes. And since episode two (I think) I've been wondering why Alan doesn't focus his escape efforts on the mother upstairs. Surely she's his best chance of survival? And she's clearly conflicted and malleable. But this apparently does not occur to Alan at all. That aside, I've yet to be convinced by any of the psychological ploys he's tried with Sam. They all seem strangely ethical, as though they really do have a doctor-patient relationship. Surely there's a more devious, manipulative path he could take? I mean, he has the advantage of a psychiatrist's insight into Sam's behaviour and a lifetime's professional experience of dealing with troubled and deluded people. His life is at stake, so why is he playing nice? In short, The Patient boasts a great hook, but falls way short on delivery.
Review of The Patient
