The Girlfriend star Robin Wright reveals unexpected reason Laura and Cherry hate each other

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I just finished watching “The Girlfriend” on Prime Video, and it’s wild to think the whole story kicks off because Laura and Cherry absolutely can’t stand each other! Robin Wright, who’s in the show and helped make it happen, said there’s a really surprising reason why they hate each other so much.

Based on Michelle Frances’ 2017 novel, *The Girlfriend* tells the story of Laura (Wright), a seemingly successful woman, and Cherry (Olivia Cooke), who desires that same success. The story is told through the perspectives of these two untrustworthy narrators.

Daniel (played by Laurie Davidson) is a central figure in the story, as he’s Laura’s son and Cherry’s boyfriend. When Laura starts to suspect Cherry is keeping secrets, their disagreements escalate into violence, culminating in a shocking and unpredictable finale.

The classic conflict between a future mother-in-law and her partner’s girlfriend is a familiar story, but the new TV show offers some interesting new angles, including the specific reasons why Laura and Cherry clash.

Why Laura and Cherry hate each other in The Girlfriend

Laura and Cherry seem to have very different lives – Laura was born into wealth, while Cherry has worked hard to get where she is. However, according to Wright, their core similarities are actually the reason they dislike each other so much.

Both women want Daniel’s undivided attention, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes – even resort to underhanded tactics – to get it.

In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Wright – who acts as Laura and also served as an executive producer and director on three episodes – explained that the two roles are closely connected.

She said that without the drama between her son and his girlfriend, they likely would have become best friends and maybe even taken a trip to the Maldives with other female friends.

It seems like you expect these characters to connect and become friends early on, and you quickly notice they share a core belief: they’re used to getting their way and being in control. However, the story suggests that if they lose that control, especially when it comes to their relationships with women, there will be significant consequences.

According to Olivia Cooke, both Cherry and Laura are too stubborn to recognize their own mistakes.

Both people believe the other has destroyed their life, and neither will take any responsibility. This leads them to seek revenge, driven purely by anger and a feeling of being justified, even as they lose control.

The celebrities discussed what bothers them, and Wright explained that the close relationship within the Sanderson family is due to Laura being the one in charge.

Cherry arrives and immediately declares her feelings for their son, asking to be accepted into the family. This intensifies the existing rivalry and conflict between the others, as no one is willing to back down.

Cherry seems like she really wants to fit in and be accepted, and I want to support their relationship because my son has never been so happy with someone. However, things started to feel off quickly, as a mother just knows when someone isn’t being completely honest or is stretching the truth.

Cooke observed that Cherry was pushing Daniel in a new and difficult way, something he hadn’t experienced before, and this upset Laura. She then pointed to a particularly problematic part of the story: Laura’s overbearing behavior towards her son.

Honestly, as a fan, I’m really starting to think Cherry is the real villain here. The stuff she does is just… shocking. Like, hitting herself with a glass to make Laura look guilty? And then completely knocking out her dad and pretending he never existed? Even her *own* mother is worried about her! It’s pretty clear she’s the bigger threat, in my opinion.

Laura isn’t blameless either. She’s lied to Cherry about Daniel – telling her he’s dead when he’s actually alive – and misled her son about his girlfriend’s whereabouts. Plus, she seems a bit too involved with Daniel herself.

The Cherry vs Laura debate

The popular series, which shows events from the viewpoints of both women, has divided audiences. Some viewers support Cherry, while others are on Laura’s side, and a significant number dislike them both.

People shared their reactions on Reddit after finishing the show. One viewer said they enjoyed it and found both characters awful. Another commented that both characters were disturbed, and the son was the only one who seemed like a victim.

Someone else said they just finished watching and actually sympathized more with the mother. They found Cherry unsettling throughout the show and grew to dislike her, even feeling scared of what she might do.

Okay, so the mom was *intense*. Her whole thing with Daniel felt… weirdly possessive, almost like something out of a psychology textbook. But honestly, I kinda got where she was coming from – she just wanted to protect her son, even if her methods were totally over the top.

Another person added that they would have supported the mother if she hadn’t been dishonest about what happened. They felt that being overly protective wasn’t as harmful as trying to turn someone against their own mother through manipulation.

Okay, so I just finished watching ‘The Girlfriend’ on Prime Video, and honestly, the ending felt a little predictable. Both Laura and Cherry were totally unhinged, but I think Cherry wouldn’t have gone as far as she did if Laura hadn’t been so messed up to begin with.

No matter how you feel about the show, most people find Laura and Daniel’s relationship a bit unsettling.

The show features disturbing moments, including a kiss between the character and Daniel, and a scene where she affectionately embraces him while he’s secretly aroused by another woman, Cherry.

One viewer commented that while the character was kind, the portrayal of the mother-son relationship felt unsettling and unrealistic. They, a parent of adult sons themselves, said they would never behave that way with their own children, nor would their sons welcome it.

It was really unsettling to watch. She would hold him as if he were a romantic partner, not her son, and he seemed very affectionate with her too. I really felt sorry for her husband; he seemed like a genuinely kind person.

One viewer said the girlfriend is fun to watch, but they don’t understand the negativity towards Cherry, explaining that she’s simply getting back at those who have wronged her.

Okay, so as a fan, it’s really disturbing to see Laura’s behavior. It feels like she has this incredibly unhealthy and twisted connection with her son, and she directs all her negativity and issues onto his girlfriend. It’s just… unsettling and hard to watch.

You can now watch “The Girlfriend” on Prime Video. If you’re looking for more new content, check out what’s coming to Netflix this month, or browse our complete 2025 TV release calendar.

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2025-09-16 16:50