Parents' Guide to

The Good Nurse

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Respectful true crime drama has strong language.

Movie R 2022 121 minutes
The Good Nurse Movie Poster

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What's the Story?

In THE GOOD NURSE, single mom Amy Loughren (Jessica Chastain) works overnights in the ICU at New Jersey's Parkfield Hospital, trying to hide her own heart condition until she's eligible for benefits. When new nurse Charlie (Eddie Redmayne) discovers her secret, he befriends her and helps her both at work and at home. But Amy starts to think that Charlie might have a dangerous secret of his own. The movie is based on real events.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

In the true crime era, this drama earns points for telling the story of a serial killer from the point of view of the friend who stopped him. With excellent performances by Chastain and Redmayne (guided by the real-life Amy, who actively consulted behind the scenes), viewers will be shaken: Can a serial killer be compassionate, caring, and unsympathetically murderous? And if you realized your best friend was a killer, would you have the courage to go to the police and participate in their arrest? This is a profile in courage, and Amy is a true role model, showing strength, resilience, tenacity, and deep-rooted integrity.

At one point, Charlie covers a patient who's died and mentions giving her dignity. The same could be said for how director Tobias Lindholm handles the movie's murders, avoiding victim exploitation. Since the story is told from the point of view of Amy and the detectives investigating an unexpected death of a hospital patient, we're watching an unfolding mystery, rather than an American Psycho-type killing spree. Lindholm chooses to present the story as something that could happen to anyone. But the sober camera filter, combined with Lindholm's steady approach and avoidance of instigating false fear, means the story is told with a sophistication that's more likely to appeal to adults than teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Amy's courage and perseverance. Why are these important character strengths? What would you have done in her shoes?

  • Great storytelling has characters facing high stakes: What were the stakes for Amy?

  • Discuss the unsensational way the murders were portrayed. How does that contrast with most movies and TV shows in which someone is killed?

  • Why do you think true crime is a popular genre?

  • Discuss the compassion demonstrated by Amy and Charlie. Do you think Charlie's compassion is sincere to Amy? To his patients?

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