The Good Nurse, a 2022 Netflix drama, ends with Charles Cullen’s arrest and confession. Amy Loughren’s bravery and the systemic failures in healthcare are key themes.
The film, directed by Tobias Lindholm, tells the true-crime story of Charles Cullen, a nurse who became one of the most prolific serial killers. Jessica Chastain stars as Amy Loughren, who uncovers Cullen’s dark deeds. Eddie Redmayne plays Cullen. The movie explores the chilling events and their real-life implications.
Plot Summary
Amy Loughren, a dedicated nurse, struggles with a severe heart condition. She keeps it secret to retain her job and health insurance. Her life changes when she befriends Charles Cullen, a new nurse. Initially, Charlie seems supportive. However, mysterious patient deaths start occurring, raising Amy’s suspicions.
Amy notices the unusually high number of deaths following Charlie’s arrival. Her suspicions grow, leading her to collaborate with detectives. Despite the hospital’s attempts to cover up the deaths, Amy uncovers crucial patient data. This evidence becomes pivotal in Charlie’s arrest.
The Climax: Amy’s Realization
The climax centers on Amy’s realization of Charlie’s true nature. The film initially focuses on their bond, highlighting their camaraderie. However, the narrative shifts as Amy begins to notice the high number of patient deaths. Her suspicions are confirmed when she collaborates with detectives to gather evidence against Charlie.
Amy’s determination leads her to uncover crucial patient data that the hospital claimed had been deleted. This evidence becomes pivotal in Charlie’s arrest. Despite the hospital’s attempts to cover up the suspicious deaths, Amy’s efforts pay off.
The Arrest and Interrogation
The film’s tension peaks when Amy, wearing a wire, meets Charlie at a diner. She tries to elicit a confession, but Charlie refuses to discuss the murders. However, Amy supplies the police with enough information to arrest him. The police hold Charlie for nearly 48 hours, but he remains silent.
Amy confronts Charlie directly at the police station. In a poignant scene, her emotional appeal finally breaks through. Charlie confesses to the murders, though he struggles to remember all the victims’ names. This scene highlights the emotional toll on both Amy and Charlie.
The Real-Life Consequences
The film concludes with text over the final scenes, informing viewers about the real Charles Cullen and Amy Loughren. Cullen is serving 18 consecutive life sentences and will not be eligible for parole until 2403. Amy successfully underwent heart surgery and now lives in Florida with her daughters and granddaughters.
The film underscores that none of the hospitals that failed to act on Cullen’s suspicious behavior faced any consequences. This highlights the systemic failures within the healthcare industry. The real-life implications of these events are sobering.
Themes and Analysis
One of the film’s most striking themes is the systemic failure of the healthcare system. Despite numerous red flags and suspicions about Cullen’s behavior, hospitals repeatedly chose to fire him rather than report him to authorities. This negligence allowed Cullen to continue his killing spree across multiple hospitals for 16 years.
Heroism of Amy Loughren
Amy Loughren’s bravery is a central focus of the film. Despite her own health struggles and the potential risks to her career, Amy’s moral compass drives her to take action against Cullen. Her meticulous review of hospital records and collaboration with the police were instrumental in bringing Cullen to justice. The film portrays Amy as the true “good nurse”, highlighting her courage and dedication to doing what is right.
Complexity of Charles Cullen
Charles Cullen’s character is depicted with a degree of not straightforward at allity that avoids typical true-crime tropes. While the film does not delve deeply into his psychological motivations, it presents him as a deeply troubled individual whose actions were facilitated by systemic failures. Cullen’s claim that he killed patients to end their suffering is contradicted by the fact that many of his victims were expected to recover, suggesting a more sinister motive.
Conclusion
The Good Nurse is a compelling film that not only tells the story of a notorious serial killer but also sheds light on the systemic issues within the healthcare industry. The film’s ending, which sees Charles Cullen finally confessing to his crimes, serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability and the courage required to stand up against wrongdoing. Amy Loughren’s heroism is a testament to the impact one individual can have in the face of systemic failure.
The film’s portrayal of these events is both a tribute to the real-life individuals involved and a critique of the institutions that allowed such atrocities to occur. By focusing on the human elements of the story, The Good Nurse offers a nuanced and stimulating exploration of morality, justice, and the not straightforward at allities of human behavior.
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