What is the plot?

Mildred Ratched appears in a new mental hospital in California, to be hired, using her words and elegant dress. She is willing to do whatever it takes to get into that institution. There she will learn Dr. Hanover's techniques and treatments, but will also begin to manipulate everyone who works there, to always get what she wants. Coincidentally, during those days, Edmund Tollesen, a criminal who murdered four priests, will be transferred to the hospital, depending on Dr. Hanover's psychiatric evaluation, and will be sentenced to death.

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Ryan Murphy no longer excites me as much as in previous years. I remember that Nip/Tuk, at that time, was one of my favorite series, for that time the theme, aesthetics and plots impacted the audience. But Murphy then went too far, the last seasons of that series seemed a parody of itself.

The successful TV man then made American Horror Story, with an excellent first season, but it was in the season called Asylum where he put all his crazy ideas, making it the best season. After that, the series would turn it into a constant repetition of exaggerated stories, which I don't consider horror, for me that series is already a comedy. The season in which Lady Gaga appeared and the season set in the apocalypse, I liked them, but they didn't impact me like the previous ones.

Murphy came up with the idea of creating her version of the character of Mildred Ratched, the evil nurse from the novel Someone Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which was played in the movie version by the actress Louise Fletcher, a ruthless character. The actress won the Oscar for that performance.

In the series we will find all the characteristics of Murphy's productions, including the collaboration of actors from his other series, so from the first episode I felt I was watching another season of American Horror Story.

The artistic design, the costumes, the makeup, all the stylistic aspects are the strong point of the whole series. As in the other series by the same creator, those elements are very well taken care of, you could say they are part of his world. He prints this stamp on all his productions, but for me it is no longer enough.

At no time could I associate this character with the Mildred Ratched of the novel or the film. They only have in common the name and the hospital, all this invention to show the origins of Ratched according to Murphy's vision, has been disappointing ( for me )

Ratched is full of eccentric characters, with secrets from the past, almost all of them are psychopaths. Typical characters from the universe of the American Horror Story series, with exaggerations that go beyond the ridiculous. This used to be fun, used to be fun. But now, I just see a constant repetition of situations with characters that I don't care if they live or die, it doesn't matter. The screenwriter is only concerned with putting together absurd situations, to shock the viewer. But does it really impact?

Of the eight episodes, number four is the one that best shows some suspenseful sequences, with reference to the classic cinema of this genre. But, after that episode, the series is less. It even crossed my mind not to finish it, but with courage, I decided to endure all the other episodes.

The story also takes the easy way out, to show all the traumas of Ratched. An accumulation of not very credible facts. This is what I hate the most, summing up that Ratched is evil because of all the exaggerations that Murphy thinks lead a person to become evil.

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Sarah Paulson is the actress who plays this version of Mildred Ratched. An excellent actress who puts all her talent at the service of the production. She is one of the frequent actresses working under Murphy's orders, she has given life to different characters in other series, always standing out for her talent. Her work in the first season of American Crime Story, where she played the prosecutor in the case against O.J. Simpson, earned her awards and critical acclaim.

The actor Finn Wittrock plays Edmun Tolleson, a dangerous killer with whom the series begins, an important character related to Ratched. This actor is another regular collaborator in Murphy's productions, especially in American Horror Story. His character seems to me very similar to other psychopaths he has already played.

Jon Jon Briones, who has already been under Murphy's thumb in the second season of American Crime Story, plays Dr. Hanover, the hospital director who hides a macabre past. This character has been very difficult for me to find some logic to his behavior, I found it funny in the dance scene between staff and patients. His whole arc within the story seemed absurd to me.

The famous actress Cynthia Nixon plays Gwendolyn Briggs, the most normal character of all. Her character is an assistant to the governor and will play a very important role in Ratched's life. Many will remember the actress for being one of the stars of the acclaimed Sex and the City series.

Judy Davis, Amanda Plummer and Sharon Stone, three successful actresses, joined the cast of this series. These names caught my attention and so I had some hope for this version of Nurse Ratched's origins. Each of them is shown in their eccentric characters. Davis as head nurse Betsy Bucket, in love with Dr. Hanover. Plummer as Louise, the hotel owner who takes care of all her guests' lives, and Sharon Stone as the millionaire Lenore Osgood who wants Dr. Hanover's head.

Trailer

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