The Girlfriend Recap: Girlboss Down

by

Laura didn’t consider the consequences of her actions thoroughly. By fabricating Daniel’s death, she was trying to keep a secret alive, just like feeding a flame to keep it burning. However, after initially creating this illusion, Laura neglected Daniel’s supposed corpse. Her mistake was assuming that Cherry, who had already posed a threat to her family by throwing a cat out the window and was clearly unstable, wouldn’t suspect or outsmart her. To be clear, Laura is certainly mentally unbalanced. But Cherry operates on a higher level of insanity.

Despite Laura’s best efforts, it seems impossible for her to provide a rational explanation for her actions, especially the motivations behind them. She struggles to speak the absolute truth, and it appears that she might be unbalanced. When Daniel discovers that she told Cherry he was deceased, he ceases all communication with her. For a while, Laura manages to keep Howard in the dark about her actions, but upon their reunion, both individuals express a desire to understand why. However, Laura remains silent on this matter. This silence, combined with the fact that during Howard’s absence for business, she spent a night socializing with Lilith-the extramarital partner he was particularly sensitive about-further strains their relationship.

Life often brings a flurry of events simultaneously, making things particularly difficult for Laura who inadvertently provoked a vindictive, emotionless stalker. To add to her misery, gallery assistant Harriet, who has been plagued by harassment since the initial broadcast, bears the brunt of Laura’s agitation. On the day following Daniel and Cherry’s reconciliation, Laura scolds Harriet for informing Howard that she hadn’t been at work since Daniel’s accident, and then berates her for not disclosing that Jamal, the artist set to be showcased next, had visited the gallery the previous day. Harriet attempts to justify herself, explaining that the event was scheduled on her calendar and moreover, she rarely answers the phone when out with Daniel. On the spot, Laura terminates her employment.

Laura let go of Harriet since Laura didn’t show up to a meeting Harriet had arranged on her schedule. This news thrilled Cherry immensely. Once Cherry found out that Daniel was still alive, and Daniel learned that Cherry hadn’t left him in a comatose state, he tracked her down. He confessed his love for her and wished to start anew. At first, Cherry hesitated. She thought about heeding her wise mother’s advice, who warned her that unlike Cherry, who often regrets her actions, influential people like Laura Sanderson can easily get away with anything. Moreover, Cherry was only just starting to rebuild her life. However, it seems Daniel’s pleading eyes were too hard to resist?

Later that night, she encounters him at the hotel. In the morning, he attempts to be thoughtful by offering her coffee, unaware that she doesn’t consume it. Strangely enough, there are quite a few things from just before the accident that Daniel can’t recall; for instance, their walk through the old church. It appears that he also doesn’t recollect expressing his intentions to marry Cherry. While forgetting the significance of not drinking coffee might seem less important than forgetting about a life-threatening fall, Cherry isn’t being overly pedantic. With numerous possibilities arising swiftly, there are many chances for seizing opportunities ahead.

Cherry and Daniel retrieve some belongings from Cherry’s townhouse. To Laura, they seem eerie, especially Cherry who appears as a ghostly figure in Laura’s kitchen. Taunting Laura with a twisted grin, Cherry snaps, “You ruined my life, Laura,” before adding, “Now watch me ruin yours.” In her recollection, Laura recalls arguing with Cherry; however, all Laura can recall is being trapped by her.

Seizing a knife, Cherry slashes the tires of Laura’s car as she exits, as a precautionary measure. This act of revenge will be the least insane one that Cherry commits. Aware of the looming danger, Laura approaches the police but lacks evidence to implicate Cherry. Despite her belief in Cherry’s guilt and potential for further harm, the police are unable to take any action due to the absence of proof.

I hope this paraphrased version helps convey the same narrative in a slightly different way!

Simultaneously, Cherry and Daniel are working towards reestablishing some momentum in their lives. They find a new apartment together, one that’s quite appealing to show off to friends, including Brigitte, whom they invite over for dinner. It becomes clear during this gathering that everyone assumed Daniel’s parents held Cherry responsible for the accident, which led to their breakup; Brigitte still seems to believe that Cherry left after Daniel was hospitalized. The details of what their friends were informed are vague – did they think Cherry was upset about the possibility she had a hand in the accident and therefore abandoned Daniel at the hospital? Or does Brigitte hold a different opinion than the rest, given her closer relationship with the Sandersons? In any case, Cherry reveals to them the truth about Laura’s deception. Upon hearing this, Brigitte is taken aback. After expressing regret for her behavior towards Cherry at the club, she admits that Laura has been behaving erratically of late: She dismissed her friend Harriet from the gallery without explanation. Bingo, bingo, bingo!

As a devoted admirer, I’ve learned from Harriet’s revelations that Cherry intends to join her yoga class. In our subsequent conversation, we reminisce about Laura. Harriet remains furious and seemingly unfazed, casually disclosing that the gallery’s security codes are Daniel’s birthday because that was the only number sequence Laura could recall. This is akin to giving a child sweets, but it’s more like handing a time bomb to a dangerous individual. Cherry manages to convince Harriet to publicly accuse Laura, to engage with journalists and create a sensation that would spread virally. “Let’s discuss this over brunch,” she proposes, rather amusingly. “It’ll be therapeutic.

The narrative spreads rapidly, like a blaze in the wilderness. Upon entering the gallery, Laura finds Jamal carefully packing away his artwork, for he needs to safeguard his reputation and associate with suitable individuals. Upon checking her phone, she discovers she’s being publicly criticized online, which isn’t amusing when personal consequences are at stake. Feeling a bit uneasy, one might say Laura seems to perceive Cherry in the gallery corners or envision her lounging in her swimming pool. A sense of anxiety begins to take hold.

Isabella arrives with a bottle of wine to console her friend, Laura, whose plans have been canceled. She tries to reassure Laura that difficult times pass, but Laura suspects that Cherry’s return and the potential trouble with her reputation are not mere coincidences. Instead of confessing all her deceitful actions, she tells Isabella that she made Cherry believe that her partner had passed away, omitting details about burner phones, social media hacking, and more. Upon hearing this, Isabella shows concern for Laura, expresses worry, yet somehow appears to be taking things lightly compared to the gravity of Laura’s actions. This person seems so convinced of her own righteousness that she perceives Isabella’s reaction as unfair criticism rather than genuine concern or bewilderment.

In my previous summary, I referred to Lilith as ‘wise’, however, I’d like to correct that assessment. It appears that Lilith shares the same level of insanity as her former partner, given her nonchalant response to Laura’s behavior and her decision to aid Laura in restoring her gallery’s reputation by displaying work that hasn’t been exhibited in over a decade.

Furthermore, Lilith makes Laura feel so relaxed and comfortable that she dozes off on the couch, despite her ongoing struggle with insomnia and the use of sleeping pills with alcohol. What’s more troubling is that Lilith persuades Laura to spend the night and relax, arguing that she “deserves a bit of fun.” This is not what she deserves! Instead, she should confront her heavy conscience and ponder the reasons for its weight. And unfortunately, it seems she is due for retribution.

Without a doubt, Cherry is in the know. It’s becoming apparent that Daniel’s allegiance might be faltering. In a setting that seems more extravagant than necessary (A polo game, we get it, he’s wealthy! Could they do something ordinary instead?), he confides in her that he didn’t truthfully inform his friends about Laura’s actions because it portrays her as too eccentric. It’s not irrational for Cherry to remark that Daniel’s defense of his mother makes her seem even more unhinged. It’s worth mentioning how evasive Daniel tends to be in general. At the polo game, when Cherry challenges him about Laura’s bizarre behavior, he leaves to fetch another bottle of wine. Similarly, when Cherry discloses Laura’s actions to their friends at their apartment, he also goes to get another bottle of wine. Is there a hint of a growing issue here?

It’s clear that this situation can’t be handled normally. Cherry doesn’t require much provocation to fuel her underlying mental issues. Initially, she manages to control herself as she plans to surprise Laura at the gallery opening for Lilith. She understands that Laura will likely make a mistake on her own accord.

Once Laura takes her downstairs for a private conversation, trying to avoid causing a scene in front of everyone, Cherry reveals her intentions: “Your public image is laughable. Your marriage is precarious. Your son despises you.” Her words provoke Laura, who attacks Cherry and claims she knows when to stop. Then, delusional, Laura calls Cherry a “cheap, angry prostitute.

As a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase that scene like so:

In the film, Cherry finds herself embroiled in a heated confrontation with Laura, who seems intent on challenging her. In a moment of impulse, Cherry smashes a Champagne flute against her own head and storms out of the gallery, shouting about being attacked by Laura. Blood stains her pristine white blazer as she flees. At home, reason gradually returns, and Cherry begins to gather her things, realizing she needs to distance herself from this chaotic group. Daniel, sensing her distress, inquires about the incident. After a brief pause, as if considering whether to maintain her composure, she admits that Laura attacked her. Despite initially questioning what might have provoked such an outburst, and defending his mother’s innocence, Daniel eventually persuades Cherry to let him tend to her wounds. In a surprising twist, as he applies two Band-Aids to her head, he proposes marriage. Cherry is taken aback by this proposal, given its audacity, but it seems that only someone with a unique disposition could commit to such a daring decision forevermore.

As a movie enthusiast, I find Cherry’s predicament to be reminiscent of Austen’s characters – complex and filled with societal expectations. The notion of marrying this man for security seems questionable, given my strong belief that her feelings for him might not run as deep as they seem. Beyond the financial aspect, there’s little else that makes their union appealing, considering the impending conflict that is bound to arise between her and Laura. The prospect of a peaceful coexistence between them seems unlikely unless one of them is no longer in the picture (a possibility given the current situation). Could it be possible that Howard will find himself at a disadvantage? Might both women come to see Daniel as just an ordinary man instead of some idealized figure? Perhaps they’ll join forces against the patriarchy, which seems to drive a wedge between women. Would you stand with Laura in this struggle?

Department of Investigation

A query that’s been on my mind: How did Cherry manage to suspect Laura’s involvement in her termination from the real estate agency? It seems she has a gut feeling, but while there were ample reasons to understand why Laura evicted Cherry or why Daniel’s messages failed to reach her, she didn’t delve much into the possibility of Connesta hacking.

In this portrayal, Olivia Cooke skillfully navigates the complexities of Cherry’s ambiguity and remorse, despite the script that seems heavy-handed at times. Her performance is marked by a noticeable tension, a dance between struggle and triumph, which stands in stark contrast to Robin Wright’s more superficial portrayal. While Laura appears driven primarily by ambition, Cherry’s character is layered with depth and nuance that I can’t help but admire.

If I may be so bold, I believe the writers could have done justice to both characters had they focused solely on one. However, the dual perspective approach creates an intriguing contrast that, unfortunately, also highlights the unevenness between the two performances. This inconsistency becomes a challenge for me as a viewer, but it’s a testament to Olivia Cooke’s talent in bringing Cherry’s character to life.

In the case of “The Girlfriend,” the cinematography and direction aren’t helping its weak script either. The shaky, disoriented shots, along with the persistent closeness of the camera to the actors, position the series within a certain genre: prestige streaming shows, typically adapted from commercially successful, glamorized novels focusing on a wealthy, secretive white woman. These shows are often popular choices for celebrity book clubs. However, these prestige-style creative decisions seem to contribute little to the narrative. Instead, consider how impactful it would be to observe Cherry’s descent into madness using more minimal, fixed shots. Perhaps we could gain a better understanding of the Malaga townhouse with its intricate layout. And if we ever saw the entirety of Daniel within the frame, maybe we’d learn more about him as well.

Read More

2025-09-10 22:56