'The Shrink Next Door' Review: Inside Paul Rudd's portrayal of Dr Isaac Herschkopf
In a day and age where talking about mental health is now more critical than ever, there is always a looming concern that someone you trust might use information about you and weaponize it against you. Having a confidential relationship with a therapist is essential because apart from the fact that exposing sensitive information would be malpractice, it also helps maintain interpersonal boundaries. However, what happens if those boundaries are compromised? 'The Shrink Next Door' tells the story of Marty Markowitz (Will Ferrell), an anxious man with low self-confidence, prone to panic attacks, and his warped relationship with his psychiatrist Dr. Isaac Herschkopf (Paul Rudd).
If you're looking for other Apple TV+ series to check out, you might want to consider 'See', 'Invasion', 'Swagger' and 'Mr Corman'.
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Based on a true story, Dr Ike, as he is known in the series, went on to con numerous patients, including Marty Markowitz, whose wealth he drained for well over three decades. In the series, Dr Ike blatantly manipulates his patients using information they've trusted him with. While he makes them seem like they're getting better on the surface, he slowly cuts them off from family and well-wishers or anyone who might seem to be a threat to him. With Marty, he drives a wedge between him and his sister, Phyllis (Kathryn Hahn). He slowly inserts himself into his personal and professional life, to the extent that he takes over this family home and business and makes it his own.
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Paul Rudd certainly adds depth to the character, allowing Ike's strained relationship with his father to stem into how he manipulates people against their family. For Ike, his father allegedly saw him as no more than a failure, and now, his life is a constant pursuit of proving otherwise. This is seen not so subtly in Ike's obsession with parties and being photographed with celebrities as his way of proving that he has made it. Rudd brings a sinister side to Dr Ike, a shift that can be seen ever so often as he minces words and gaslights Marty into getting his way. While there are subtle moments of this, there are also his elaborate outbursts, where he weaponises psychology and breaks Marty slowly and surely.
Kathyrn Hahn's character, Phyllis, is probably the only one who sees through his act, but not before he ruins her relationship with her brother. Hahn, as always, is enjoyable to watch on screen and is the only character you find yourself rooting for as she sees through the smoke and mirrors. Ferell's Marty seems to get lost in scenes, but then, that could be a layer to his character or the fact that your attention is always on Ike. Overall, the series makes for an interesting weekend binge, at best.
'The Shrink Net Door' is now available on Apple TV+.