Netflix’s new series Freud is obviously inspired by the life and theories of celebrated neurologist and founder of modern psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, a name that is very familiar to Literature majors. Since I am one as well, I too had to study psychoanalytic theories, hypothesized by that bearded and eccentric Austrian doctor.
What did I think about Freud’s ideas? Those were really “out there.” Excuse the expression; just quoting a former “Freudian” lover of mine. What I mean is that the human mind is so mysterious in all its functions, we cannot really be certain about any theories on it, no matter how famous and celebrated the hypothesizer is. I obviously am not a big fan of Freud the psychoanalyst.
However, I am a big fan of Freud the TV show that is available on Netflix. And during this time of social distancing and isolation, this is just the show you need to occupy your mind with. Let us discuss why.
When I first read the name on the suggestion list of Netflix, I immediately thought this show will be boring. I am tired of biographical dramas on the life of famous academics. Yes, I do not think Russell Crowe’s “A Beautiful Mind” that great to be honest. Give me another “Gladiator” with him. But coming back to “Freud” I thought, why not? I am isolated now, so I have no one to talk to. I have put the milk in the microwave to heat it up for my chocolate serial. I have a few minutes to kill. So I pressed play on Freud.
How pleasantly surprised I was! The first few minutes of the show hooks the audience in by showing the bearded doctor performing hypnosis on some old lady. Before I could watch the end of the hypnosis, the microwave sounded its alarm, and I pressed pause to fetch my milk. I pressed play again, and after a couple more minutes, the hypnosis ends. Then it is revealed to be just a fake routine of hypnosis, which Freud has been practicing with his housekeeper for some evil end - I could only assume. I thought to myself “could it be? This series on Freud will reveal him to be a ‘Fraud’?”
I poured my chocolate serial on the milk, which had cooled somewhat, when the intro animation of the show played, after that “fake hypnosis” hook. I again thought from watching the intro animation, that this might still be a very boring show. The intro animation just shows many different angles of a bust of Freud. By the end of the pilot, I could safely say that I was pleasantly wrong.
I will not reveal anymore of the plot, because, I have been accused more often than not of revealing too much of the story in my reviews. And those are authentic accusations, mind you. However, I will reveal this much. Freud is not your run of the mill historical drama on boring academics arguing in front of a chalkboard. Although, there is a scene like that, and plenty of boring academics with beard. However, Freud is a fictional crime drama with political intrigue and several supernatural elements.
I am an ardent admirer of fantasy and supernatural, and “Freud” perfectly fits in both those genres, but it deserves more mention as a crime drama. This is because the series shows Freud trying to solve murders with the local police. Whether he succeeds or not is up to you. Watch the series and find out for yourself.
However, in the process you will find a subplot to upend the reigning Austrian government, devised by some eerily good looking Hungarian nobility. You will actually find that all the actors are very good looking, and amazing at their craft.
In the process of watching Freud you will also find that the period piece, has some lavish set design and costumes to channel the environment of Vienna in the 1880s, the decade in which the actual Freud set up his clinical practice in that city.
Look out for the colour grading and editing of the show. I would say they are top notch. The art direction of the show will remind you of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes, and that is no coincidence, because that film is also set in the same decade as Freud.
But why is this pseudo-supernatural crime drama any better than Robert Downey Jr’s Sherlock Holmes or any other film and series in this genre? Because, this series shows realistically the situations for which Freud’s contemporaries called him a charlatan. This Freud is a cocaine addict, and you might say “cue similarities with Sherlock Holmes.” I would say watch it and then judge. This Freud is eccentric and an addict but a complete loser. Every depiction of Sherlock was a genius. This depiction of Freud is more human, because of his failures. More believable and relatable character is hard to find in supernatural crime dramas.
Finally, this show has one season so far, with eight 45 minutes-long episodes. So it definitely is a must binge for your “(enter number here)th day of quarantine” or isolation – whichever term you prefer.
What did I think of it? It is massively entertaining; so much so, that I had to reheat the milk of my cereal by the end of the pilot. Lastly, the music of the show is memorable. A creepy melancholy tune, you will hear from one of the murderers in this series, will definitely stay with you a long time, and you will not be able to stop yourself from humming it.