"The Good Nurse" (2022) Movie Review: A Gripping True-Crime Thriller Based on the Terrifying Real-Life Case of Nurse Charles Cullen

The Good Nurse (2022), directed by Tobias Lindholm, is a chilling and tense thriller that draws inspiration from the real-life story of Charles Cullen, a nurse who committed multiple murders over the course of his 16-year career. Adapted from the non-fiction book The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder by Charles Graeber, the film portrays the investigation that eventually led to Cullen’s arrest, as well as the moral and psychological dilemmas faced by the people involved.

The film primarily focuses on Amy Loughren (played by Jessica Chastain), a nurse and mother struggling with health issues who becomes one of Cullen's closest colleagues and ultimately plays a key role in bringing him to justice. As the story unfolds, viewers are drawn into a complex narrative that explores trust, guilt, and the ethical challenges inherent in healthcare, as well as the disturbing reality of a killer hiding in plain sight.

Plot Overview

The Good Nurse follows Amy Loughren, a dedicated nurse working in a New Jersey hospital, who begins to suspect that something is wrong when a series of unexplained patient deaths occur at the hospital. Amy, who is dealing with her own personal challenges—including heart problems and the difficulties of raising two young children as a single mother—becomes increasingly concerned about her colleague, Charlie Cullen (Eddie Redmayne), a quiet and unassuming nurse with a troubled past.

As Amy begins to investigate Cullen’s behavior, she uncovers a horrifying pattern of death and deception. Despite being friendly with Cullen, Amy finds herself in an impossible situation, torn between her duty to protect patients and her personal connection to the man. The investigation intensifies when Detective Danny Baldwin (Nnamdi Asomugha) gets involved, and Amy is eventually forced to cooperate with authorities in order to prevent further deaths.

The film carefully weaves together the emotional weight of Amy’s personal life with the growing tension surrounding Cullen’s increasingly suspicious behavior, gradually revealing the horrifying truth of his actions. Through Amy’s eyes, the audience is forced to confront the vulnerability and fragility of human trust, especially in a healthcare environment where lives are literally in the hands of medical professionals.

Themes and Psychological Exploration

At its core, The Good Nurse is not only a crime thriller but also a psychological exploration of guilt, complicity, and the dark side of human nature. It delves deep into the question of how such a large-scale medical crime could go undetected for so long. The film highlights the institutional failures, corporate negligence, and lack of communication that allowed Cullen to continue his killing spree, while also exploring the internal conflict faced by those who were unknowingly complicit in his crimes.

Amy’s emotional journey is central to the film, as she grapples with her growing suspicions about Cullen and her own feelings of guilt for not acting sooner. The film raises important questions about accountability in the medical field, particularly when it comes to institutional cover-ups and the challenges faced by individuals trying to expose wrongdoing without jeopardizing their careers or personal lives. Amy’s eventual decision to cooperate with the authorities is portrayed as both a moral and personal dilemma, emphasizing the weight of the choice to turn against someone she once considered a friend.

The character of Charlie Cullen is equally fascinating, with Eddie Redmayne giving a subtle yet chilling performance. Cullen is depicted as a quiet, almost meek figure, which contrasts sharply with the heinous crimes he committed. His ability to blend into the hospital environment, earn the trust of colleagues, and maintain an unassuming presence only adds to the horror of the situation. Redmayne's portrayal of Cullen evokes both sympathy and repulsion, capturing the complexity of a man who, despite his evil actions, seems deeply troubled and emotionally scarred.

Performances and Direction

The performances in The Good Nurse are outstanding, with Jessica Chastain delivering an emotionally raw and powerful portrayal of Amy Loughren. Chastain’s performance brings a layer of depth to the character, making her both relatable and empathetic. The vulnerability she conveys as Amy struggles with her own health and personal life, while simultaneously dealing with the horror of Cullen’s actions, is truly remarkable.

Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Charlie Cullen is hauntingly subtle, with his quiet demeanor and reserved nature making his character even more unnerving. Redmayne's ability to convey a sense of inner turmoil, while keeping Cullen’s outwardly calm behavior intact, is a testament to his acting range. The tension between Chastain’s and Redmayne’s characters drives the film, creating an unsettling and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.

Tobias Lindholm's direction is restrained and thoughtful, focusing on building tension through atmosphere and character development rather than relying on overt horror or gore. The pacing of the film allows the tension to build slowly and steadily, culminating in a powerful and emotional conclusion. The film also benefits from a restrained use of violence, which makes the moments of revelation and confrontation all the more impactful.

The Ethics of Healthcare and Institutional Accountability

One of the central themes explored in The Good Nurse is the failure of the medical institution to protect patients. Cullen’s ability to kill with impunity for so long is not just a reflection of his ability to deceive; it also speaks to systemic failures within the healthcare system. The film critiques the way hospitals and healthcare administrators prioritized their reputations and avoided confronting the possibility of malpractice, which ultimately allowed Cullen to continue his killing spree.

The film’s exploration of institutional accountability is especially poignant in light of the fact that Cullen’s actions remained undetected for so long despite the growing number of deaths. This critique is not just of the medical system, but of society’s failure to take responsibility for the things that go wrong within it. The film emphasizes the difficulty of fighting systemic corruption, particularly for individuals like Amy who, despite having suspicions, feel powerless to confront the institution and expose the truth.

Final Thoughts

The Good Nurse is a haunting and emotional thriller that explores not only the chilling true-crime story of Charles Cullen but also the moral complexities of complicity, guilt, and institutional failure. The film’s standout performances, particularly by Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne, elevate the material, providing a deeply human perspective on a horrifying story.

While the film never resorts to sensationalism, it captures the tension and unease of knowing that one person’s actions can destroy so many lives—and how difficult it can be to bring such darkness into the light. Through its complex characters, nuanced performances, and emotional depth, The Good Nurse challenges viewers to reflect on the intersection of ethics, trust, and accountability in both personal and institutional contexts. It’s a powerful reminder of the lengths people will go to protect themselves and the truth, even in the most morally complicated situations.