We're used to a new season of American Horror Story coming out around Halloween, but Ryan Murphy hasn't treated us to dark projects in a while. This is exactly that case. A new take and prequel to the famous novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest — th...

The new series by Ryan Murphy, Ratched, is about Nurse Ratched from Ken Kesey's novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and its legendary film adaptation by Miloš Forman. But the Netflix project itself resembles the original neither in style, nor color palette, nor anything else.

The trailers promise a powerful psychological thriller starring Sarah Paulson. But is the series really that impressive? We share our impressions of the first season without spoilers.

What's Up with Murphy?

The nurse was first portrayed on screen by American actress Louise Fletcher in the iconic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, for which she won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. We know this character as a calculating woman who holds power and uses it. She is a symbol of hatred and cruelty.

While the character is more or less clear, everything else depends on how much you like Ryan Murphy's recent work and are willing to tolerate a rather dull plot.

The author skillfully uses his signature tricks: a love for huge, bright sets, long takes, and the Rococo style. And, of course, excessive violence and attempts to evoke discomfort while watching. Because of this, everything here feels exaggerated and overloaded.

The series makes interesting use of cinematographic and editing techniques: split screens, unusual angles, and fully red or green screen lighting depending on the character's mood.

The series paints a beautiful and very bright picture for viewers, but inside it all remains empty, which is extremely disappointing. Ultimately, it seems Murphy chose the goal of reinterpreting the character from the perspective of accepting one's sexual orientation, rather than revealing her anew from the standpoint of cruelty.

What About the Story?

Ratched feels more like a new season of AHS. Interestingly, the series doesn't start with the main character but with the story of a priest murder. The main sinister role here is played by Finn Wittrock, another favorite of Ryan Murphy.

Then we meet Nurse Ratched, who is trying by all means to get a job at a new, modern (though not for its time) psychiatric hospital. It is to this place that a problematic patient, the murderer, will soon be sent. And the reasons for the new nurse's arrival turn out to be more personal than we might have expected.

Viewers might have expected that as the plot develops, Mildred Ratched would show her darkest side, gradually losing her humanity. But the opposite happened. In the story, she is calm, reasonable, and protects those close to her. The most chilling moment throughout is the scene with a session of the "miraculous procedure" or lobotomy performed by the hospital's head doctor.

There are characters who are completely insignificant to the plot and appear for no apparent reason. There's no point even mentioning that Sharon Stone appears for a few episodes.

What About Sarah Paulson?

Sarah Paulson in the role is magnificent, contradictory, and mesmerizing with her performance. She and Murphy have been working as a duo for a long time, and he knows how to present her properly and show her in the best light. Paulson conveys the character's inner darkness even when she's doing nothing on screen. Chills run down your spine when her personality breaks through her impassive face.

What's the Verdict?

The pilot episode, like many others in the series, is too drawn out, doesn't advance the plot, and just shows beautiful shots and scenic views. This is immediately alarming.

Perhaps only for a few moments will it seem like the series is asking where evil comes from, how it originates. But the creators don't even try to develop this theme.

The finale, meanwhile, doesn't provide answers to many questions that arose during the plot, which is obvious since the show has already been renewed for a second season.

After watching the first season, you'll likely ask yourself: "Did we really need the nurse's backstory?"

Season 1 Trailer: