Psychiatry turns into manipulation

? A bizarre relationship between a man and his psychiatrist. The Shrink Next Door, based on Joe Nocera’s podcast of the same name, dives into a twisted dynamic between a psychiatrist and his patient. The show has its dramatic moments, with others darkly comedic and some just plain unsettling.

The miniseries takes us back to the 1980s, when Marty Markowitz (Will Ferrell) first meets Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herchkopf (Paul Rudd). Marty, dealing with a range of personal and professional struggles, speaks to the charismatic and overbearing Ike, who quickly crosses professional boundaries and weaves himself into Marty’s life.

Both actors’ strong performances anchor the show. Marty is painfully awkward while Ike is charming and narcissistic. Their chemistry creates a dynamic that is fascinating — and somewhat uncomfortable — to watch. Marty’s protective sister Phyllis Shapiro (Kathryn Hahn) also brings an element of sharp wit into the episodes.

As the series progresses, the power imbalance between Marty and Ike grows toxic. We learn about Ike’s own troubled past, which causes him to manipulate Marty while clothing his manipulation as care. Despite the frequent moments of humor, the show continuously reminds viewers of the darker themes at play.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the series on AppleTV+ or catch the trailer on Youtube (runtime: 2:24).