Prime Video’s The Girlfriend is a masterclass in psychological tension, a six-episode binge that feels like watching a beautiful, expensive car veer slowly and inevitably toward a cliff. The story of a wealthy, deeply enmeshed mother, Laura (Robin Wright), and the working-class girlfriend, Cherry (Olivia Cooke), who threatens her hold on her son, Daniel, culminates in a finale that is both shocking and tragically inevitable.
If you just finished the series and your jaw is still on the floor, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the twisted finale, the secrets unearthed, and what that chilling final scene really means.
How does Laura die in The Girlfriend?
In a cruel twist of fate straight out of a Greek tragedy, Laura is killed by the one person she loves most: her son, Daniel. The finale culminates in a brutal fight in the basement pool, where Laura, having fully snapped, is attempting to drown Cherry.
Daniel, heavily sedated after his climbing accident, stumbles upon the scene. In a hazy, protective instinct, he pushes his mother off of Cherry. He holds Laura underwater to subdue her, but in his drugged state, he doesn’t realize he’s holding her down for too long. By the time he checks on Cherry, it’s too late. He has accidentally drowned his own mother.
The tragedy is layered. Daniel is now shackled with the guilt of matricide. He’s also trapped with Cherry, the woman his mother died trying to eliminate. No matter which woman he chose in that moment, he was doomed to a life with a dangerously manipulative partner.
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What is Cherry’s dark secret in The Girlfriend?
Throughout the series, we get hints that Cherry’s past is murky—from her father’s violent reaction to her presence to her own calculated, self-harming acts. But the final episode reveals the full, terrifying picture.
On a video on Laura’s phone, Cherry’s mother reveals that Cherry didn’t just injure her father in a moment of passion; she pushed him, causing the fall that left him disabled. But that’s not all. Her mother chillingly implies that Cherry has a history of extreme retaliation:
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She “glassed” the face of a schoolmate who took her toys.
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She allegedly killed a boy who stood her up for a college dance.
Her mother’s warning to Laura is the most haunting part: “Eventually, she’ll find a way to get rid of him [Daniel]” when he doesn’t give her what she wants. Cherry’s actions aren’t just emotional outbursts; they are the calculated moves of a predator.
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Was Cherry only after Daniel’s money?
The series cleverly plays with perspective, making us question Cherry’s motives through Laura’s jealous eyes. While the original novel paints her as a more clear-cut gold digger, the show suggests a more complex reality.
Cherry does use Daniel’s money, but often to fit into his world (like buying clothes to impress his parents). She goes into significant debt herself to maintain the illusion of being his equal. She’s initially wary of dating a rich “wanker.” Her primary drive appears to be a desperate craving for the love, stability, and status she never had—a need so powerful it turns destructive when threatened. The money is a part of that package, but not necessarily the sole object of her desire.
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At its heart, The Girlfriend is a modern, twisted take on the Oedipus complex, but with the roles reversed—often called a Jocasta complex. Laura doesn’t see Daniel as just her son; he is her primary emotional partner.
She expects him to prioritize her over everyone else, shares inappropriate physical affection (including kisses on the lips), and becomes violently jealous of any rival for his attention. This “emotional incest” creates a toxic enmeshment that makes Daniel incapable of building a healthy relationship, ultimately setting the stage for the catastrophic ending.
Who are the main characters in The Girlfriend?
The story revolves around three central figures in a deadly love triangle.
| Actor | Character | Role & Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Robin Wright | Laura | A wealthy, possessive mother whose identity is entirely wrapped up in her son. |
| Olivia Cooke | Cherry | A woman from a poor background whose desire for love and stability masks a dangerous past. |
| Laurie Davidson | Daniel | The spoiled, often oblivious son caught in the crossfire of two manipulative women. |
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Does The Girlfriend ending set up a Season 2?
The series concludes with a definitive and chilling finality, but it leaves one door cracked open. The last scene shows Cherry heavily pregnant, implying she and Daniel are still together and about to have a child.
This sets up a terrifying potential sequel. Daniel is now aware of Cherry’s true nature but is trapped by the impending birth of his child. A second season could explore whether he tries to escape with the baby, potentially triggering Cherry’s most vicious instincts yet, exactly as her mother warned.
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