If you’re craving a psychological thriller that gets under your skin, the ‘The Patient’ TV series is a masterclass in slow-burn tension. This FX production, available on Hulu, immediately throws you into a deeply unsettling scenario that feels both impossible and terrifyingly real. The premise is deceptively simple, yet viewers are immediately drawn into a world where the line between therapist and captive becomes dangerously blurred, setting the stage for a character-driven drama that is as much about internal turmoil as it is about external conflict.
The plot of ‘The Patient’ centers on Dr. Alan Strauss, a gifted therapist played with profound depth by Steve Carell, who finds himself held prisoner by his own patient, Sam Fortner. Sam, portrayed with a chilling and unpredictable volatility by Domhnall Gleeson, isn’t there for typical sessions; he’s a serial killer seeking urgent treatment for his compulsive urges. The genius of the show’s setup is that Alan’s prison is a quiet, ordinary room, making the high-stakes psychological battle that unfolds all the more claustrophobic and intense.
What’s truly fascinating about this series is how it inverts the typical therapeutic dynamic. Alan is forced to treat his captor, using his professional skills not just to heal, but to survive. Every session is a high-wire act where a wrong word could be fatal, and the trust between them is as fragile as glass. The ‘The Patient’ TV series expertly mines this premise for all its worth, creating a cat-and-mouse game where the mouse is trying to therapize the cat into not eating him.
The cast of ‘The Patient’ is nothing short of phenomenal, delivering award-winning performances that anchor the entire storyline. Carell sheds his comedic persona completely, embodying a man wrestling with his own grief and guilt while trying to outmaneuver a brilliant but broken individual. Opposite him, Gleeson is utterly compelling, making Sam frighteningly human—you see the scared boy within the monster, which only deepens the complexity. Their scenes together are electric, filled with unspoken calculations and raw emotional exposure.
Ultimately, the ‘The Patient’ show is a gripping exploration of morality, compulsion, and the very nature of evil itself. The series doesn’t shy away from asking difficult questions about whether someone like Sam can truly be ‘cured’ and what a therapist’s responsibility is in the face of such tangible danger. For anyone who appreciates a smart, suspenseful, and deeply character-driven narrative that will haunt you long after the credits roll, this is an unmissable and critically acclaimed piece of television.
The Patient – TV Series – Season 1 – Trailer
