The Patient

6.9
202222m

A psychotherapist finds himself held prisoner by a serial killer with an unusual request: curb his homicidal urges.

Production

Logo for FX Productions

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Official Series Trailer

Official Series Trailer

Thumbnail for video: Teaser - Psycho/therapist

Teaser - Psycho/therapist

Seasons

10 Episodes • Premiered 2022

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 1: Intake

1. Intake

8.4

Dr. Alan Strauss, a therapist mourning the death of his wife, takes on an enigmatic new client. As the two men wrestle with very different, individual problems, their professional relationship is transformed by a choice that binds them deeply together.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 2: Alan Learns to Meditate

2. Alan Learns to Meditate

8.2

Sam delves more deeply into the reason he entered therapy, but he encounters resistance from Dr. Strauss as he attempts to continue their sessions. A gathering sense of not being alone leads to a revelation about the house.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 3: Issues

3. Issues

7.9

Sam’s desire to find a therapeutic solution grows as his inner struggle intensifies. Dr. Strauss brings a new variable into their sessions.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 4: Company

4. Company

7.4

On the threshold of crisis, Sam honors the promise Dr. Strauss made him make as a condition for continuing their work together. The trust built between patient and doctor is tested, with a life in the balance.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 5: Pastitsio

5. Pastitsio

8.4

Sam reaches out to a woman from his past. Trials loom for Dr. Strauss, Sam, and Elias.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 6: Charlie

6. Charlie

7.8

Dr. Strauss struggles with the reality he finds himself in. Sam is consumed with practical necessities, but agrees to his therapist’s advice to make different choices.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 7: Kaddish

7. Kaddish

7.3

Both Dr. Strauss and Sam try to make new connections in their pursuit of an elusive peace.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 8: Ezra

8. Ezra

7.4

Dr. Strauss is honest with himself about his failures, past and present. A revelation about his relationship with Ezra leads him back to the urgency of escape. Sam loses faith in his doctor.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 9: Auschwitz

9. Auschwitz

7.4

Dr. Strauss leaves nothing unsaid. Sam gives it another shot with Mary. An idea sparks for Sam, and everything seems to click together.

Still image for The Patient season 1 episode 10: The Cantor's Husband

10. The Cantor's Husband

7.7

For Sam, an unexpected decision shows progress towards his goals, but Dr. Strauss demands even more.

Cast

Photo of Steve Carell

Steve Carell

Alan Strauss

Photo of Domhnall Gleeson

Domhnall Gleeson

Sam Fortner

Photo of Linda Emond

Linda Emond

Candace Fortner

Photo of Laura Niemi

Laura Niemi

Beth Strauss

Photo of Andrew Leeds

Andrew Leeds

Ezra Strauss

Photo of David Alan Grier

David Alan Grier

Charlie Addison

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Reviews

M

MovieGuys

9/10

For some reason The Patient recalls, for me, the screen adaptation of Stephen Kings novel, Misery.

Only this time, the "greatest fan" is an obsessively homicidal patient of a notable, published, psychotherapist. A reserved educated man, who is drawn, quite literally into the insane world, of his patient.

This is a highly polished, superbly acted, slow burn thriller.Interestingly, the creators opted for short episodes. Perhaps they were concerned the limited scope of this story, might bore the audience?

They needn't have worried. This is highly addictive fare where the polite, controlled conversations between the patient and his therapist, are always on the potential cusp of unspeakable acts, of uncontrollable violence. Its a tight rope the audience walks, along with the tales primary protagonist's.

In summary, novel, engrossing, polished and thoroughly addictive.

You've reached the end.