By Anne Brodie
Netflix’ limited series Vladmir starring and executive produced by Rachel Weisz is a chilling tale of sexual obsession, marriage and conscience. Weiz is Rachel and professor and novelist, married to John (John Slattery), a professor in the same institution; theirs is an open marriage and he’s about to be investigated for open multiple affairs with his students and will likely lose his job and pension. Rachel’s happy when he spends nights with his lovers for the time to herself. And her mind is elsewhere, on a new student Vladmir (Leo Woodall) who is married with a baby girl. Her obsession is made plain – she tracks and spies on him, and endlessly fantasising, leading to extremely risky behaviours. Our distaste for her grows but it’s hard to turn away. Will she and Vladmir get together and will she ruin his life? Rachel is not sympathetic; she’s selfish in the extreme and lacks common sense and basic empathy. Still, she’s witty, honest and self aware; its fun disliking her. She’s a classic “Villain Protagonist: A main character who is evil or highly unethical (e.g., Patrick Bateman in American Psycho), making them difficult to root for, though they may be fascinating to watch”. Thank you, AI.) Based on the novel by Julia May Jonas. Eight episodes begin streaming March 5.
