Steve Carell delivers a faultless performance in The Patient, a claustrophobic kidnap thriller now streaming on ITVX. The 10-episode series, created by Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, sees Carell play Dr Alan Strauss, a therapist kidnapped by his own patient, Sam, played by Domhnall Gleeson.
The plot centres on Sam, a serial killer who wants to be cured of his compulsion to kill. He holds Strauss captive in a basement, forcing him to provide therapy sessions. The show explores themes of empathy, complicity, and guilt, with a focus on the evolving relationship between captor and captive.
Carell's performance is praised for its depth, capturing Strauss's fear, frustration, and grief. Gleeson is equally compelling, portraying Sam as odd and unpredictable. While the series is slow-paced and repetitive at times, the stellar performances make it a rewarding watch for patient viewers.
