Rachel Weisz stars as an unnamed creative writing professor in Vladimir, a new Netflix limited series based on Julia May Jonas's 2022 novel. The show explores the fallout when her husband, fellow academic John (John Slattery), is accused of affairs with students, and a new visiting tutor, Vladimir (Leo Woodall), arrives with his wife and child, stirring temptation.
Set in a semi-rural liberal arts college, the series aims to challenge modern preconceptions, positioning itself as 'post-woke'. It contrasts the emotional timidity of today's youth with the sexual liberation of the 20th century, as the protagonist reflects on her open marriage. However, the show's critique of 'snowflakes' feels dated, arriving after many writers have already pushed back against political correctness.
Weisz delivers a strong performance, though her character is unlikeable and at times sociopathic. The chemistry with Vladimir is elliptical, but the frequent breaking of the fourth wall can be grating. The show's unhinged ending may divide viewers.
The biggest flaw is Netflix's aesthetic standard: packed with contemporary pop hits and a scorching colour palette, the series dulls the iconoclasm Jonas's scripts aim for. The adaptation struggles to match the provocative edge of its source material.
