The Patient: 5 reasons you need to watch Steve Carell’s psychological thriller series

Steve Carell is back stealing the show once again in one of the newest series currently streaming on Hulu. The Patient is another show based on a sociopathic serial killer – something that fans are no strangers to.

But the series has taken the familiar content and freshened it up with a critical twist. Carell plays Alan Strauss, a psychotherapist, who has been kidnapped by his client Sam Fortner, a serial killer.

Fortner is played by Domnhall Gleeson of Harry Potter and Star Wars fame. Five of ten episodes have aired so far, and fans are gripped by the premise already, as they wait to see if Strauss can convince Fortner to go against his killing instinct.

But the premise alone is not the only reason to watch this show. Let’s take a look at five reasons this incredible series has become a must-watch heading into October.

1. The portrayal of loss in the face of new trauma

There have been many shows where the protagonist – usually happy and content with their lives – are put in a situation where their world is turned upside down. In their new circumstances, they are forced to survive.

The Patient does not follow a similar theme. Carell’s Alan Strauss could do with therapy himself.

The psychiatrist is dealing with the incomparable loss of his wife when he is kidnapped. In an unfamiliar and horrifying situation, Strauss has moments of flashbacks where he is absorbed by memories of his late wife.

These scenes are both gut-wrenching and somehow beautiful. Similar to Ricky Gervais’ Afterlife, the effects of his wife’s passing have deeply changed Strauss’ outlook on life completely.

And now, he has to deal with a serial killer.

2. The subtle humor in the middle of an incredibly tense situation

The situation is tense. Alan Strauss is chained to the bed trying to counsel a clearly unstable Sam Forton who wants to kill anyone that offends him.

But there’s a moment where the tension builds to a breaking point – and then Sam goes to the bathroom. This is not an isolated incident but a recurring theme.

Forton’s bladder capacity would make many an elder gentleman envious. In the silence, while Strauss breathes a sigh of relief, the sound of Forton urinating can be heard… and it continues far longer than anyone has a right to.

Perhaps this is not surprising as one of the constant companions for Gleeson’s character is a Dunkin’ Donuts cup. Carell, playing a very serious character here, uses his immense facial acting to convey the humor of the situation.

It may literally be toilet humor, but the way it has been used deserves praise, as a momentary break in the tension allowing the audience to breathe with Strauss.

3. Steve Carell steals the show

Fans of The Office, Evan Almighty, or The 40-Year-Old Virgin, might know only one side of Carell. He stole the show as Michael Scott and is not really known for his serious characters.

However, in The Patient, Carell is reaching new heights through his heart-rending portrayal of a man in mourning, who is also trying his best to break through the irrationality of a sociopath. He is not only struggling to survive himself but is faced with a far larger conundrum.

As a psychiatrist, he is faced with the horror of seeing his own failure to reach Forton possibly directly result in the death of another. The guilt and the enormous burden weigh on him throughout as he tries everything at his disposal.

One particular scene stands out, which might see Carell win awards in due time. Sitting near a potential victim of Fortner’s, helpless to console him, he starts to croon John Denver’s Country Roads. 

The song took on a haunting quality and might be the moment that every viewer takes away from the show.

4. Steve Carell’s new beard

On a much lighter note, Steve Carell is absolutely dapper with his new beard. Carell’s beard adds so much character to him that he is almost unrecognizable as the Michael Scott who jumped and ran over office furniture shouting, “Parkour.”

This would have been the biggest challenge going into the show. They would have to separate the comedic roles that Carell has played over his career from the very serious role he takes on here.

Oddly enough, the beard might be one of the best tools he has used to do this. Outside his acting, it has changed him completely.

5. The Patient takes 25 minutes to tell a story

In the current fast-moving world, there’s a seemingly endless number of shows for every fan to catch up to. Be it House of the Dragon or Rings of Power, or indeed, any number of other popular shows, it’s very common for them to take an hour per episode.

Each episode of The Patient lasts just under 25 minutes. Yet, in that time they tell stories that many other series would struggle to deliver in an hour.

At times, it feels just right to sit for a show and have it end in 25 minutes. The length of the episodes is perfect and leaves the fans waiting for more.

With five episodes down, the next five episodes will be worth watching as fans wait to see what happens next. Episode five ended in a critical moment and might lead to the tone changing completely going forward.

Do you think Steve Carell’s portraying such a serious character might see him change his usual work ala Bryan Cranston in Breaking Bad?  Let us know in the comments below!