Watch Ratched

In 1947, the world was changed forever with the premiere of the thriller One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The novel, which exposed the harsh reality of mental institutions and their practices during the mid-20th century, highlighted the need for change in psychiatric facilities. Now, over 70 years later, Netflix has brought to life the backstory of one of the most sinister characters from that novel - Nurse Ratched.

Ratched is a psychological thriller that takes the audience through the journey of Mildred Ratched's (Sarah Paulson) transformation from a young and naively ambitious nurse working at a hospital to one of the most notorious villains in literature. The show explores the backstory of Nurse Ratched, examining how she became the manipulative and authoritarian character that audiences were introduced to in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

The show begins with Ratched traveling from the east coast to California on a mission to work at a psychiatric hospital that is conducting experimental treatments for mental illnesses. Upon arrival, Ratched quickly realizes that something is off at the hospital as she meets Dr. Hanover (Jon Jon Briones), a physician who enjoys experimenting on patients and is more interested in advancing medicine than helping people.

In addition to Dr. Hanover, Ratched is also introduced to Gwendolyn Briggs (Cynthia Nixon), the governor's press secretary who shares a romantic interest with Ratched. In the episodes that follow, the audience is taken on a journey through Ratched's past, showing her troubled childhood and relationships with her adopted brother Edmund (Finn Wittrock) and mother.

Throughout the series, the audience is exposed to Ratched's tactics and manipulation as she navigates through the hospital's hierarchy to achieve her ultimate goal - freeing her brother from prison. Ratched is saccharine and charming on the surface, but underneath it all is a dark and cunning individual who will stop at nothing to reach her goals.

The show delves into the horrors that took place at psychiatric hospitals during the mid-20th century, highlighting the mistreatment of patients and the inhumane ways in which people with mental illnesses were treated. The show's creators have done an excellent job of creating a period piece that accurately depicts the time and setting, from the costumes to the set design and cinematography.

Sarah Paulson's performance as Ratched is stunning, she brings a depth to the character that makes her compelling to watch despite her dark motives. Finn Wittrock's portrayal of Edmund is equally impressive, and his dynamic with Paulson's Ratched creates a complex and twisted dynamic that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.

Overall, Ratched is a well-crafted and well-executed piece of television that explores the origin story of one of the most well-known villains in literature. The show is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers and period pieces, and Sarah Paulson's performance is reason enough to give it a watch. Ratched is a chilling exploration of the dark and twisted nature of humanity, and it's a journey worth taking.

Ratched is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (8 episodes). The series first aired on September 18, 2020.