Eddie Redmayne receives Virtuoso Award for “The Good Nurse”

Written by Julia Gralki. Photo by Ally Abruscato.

“The Good Nurse” will be one of Netflix’s biggest releases this year, just in time for Halloween. While the movie will be available to stream on Oct. 26, “The Good Nurse” was screened at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival on Oct. 23. Before the show, actor Eddie Redmayne, known for his work in “Fantastic Beasts” and “The Danish Girl,” was presented with the Virtuoso Award.

The fact-based drama isn’t a typical Halloween movie but is nonetheless horrifying. It captures the story of a nurse named Amy (Jessica Chastain,) a single mother struggling to stay afloat while battling heart disease. Charles Cullen (Eddie Redmayne,) a kind and empathetic male nurse, begins working at her hospital and appears as a savior who helps her reconnect with her children while she is sick and overworked. Amy and Charlie’s friendship is real and deep – it is hard to believe that behind his compassionate attitude hides a serial killer who murders without touching the victims.

What makes “The Good Nurse” scary is the realistic portrayal of Cullen, made even more terrifying by the fact that the film is based on a true story.

Redmayne excels in portraying Cullen as too good to be true before surprising the audience with a performance previously unseen by the actor, who is usually known for starring as an earnest protagonist. The character feels real and believable to the point where it is almost uncomfortable to watch, considering that Cullen confessed to the deaths of up to 40 people. Realistically, the number might reach closer to 400.

But Cullen is not the only criminal in the story. During his 16-year-long nursing career, Cullen worked at more than ten hospitals, which were suspicious of him when patients started dying mysteriously. However, none of the hospitals stopped him from his killing spree because they were too concerned about repercussions for themselves. What makes “The Good Nurse” scary is the realistic portrayal of Cullen, made even more terrifying by the fact that the film is based on a true story.

After the movie screening, Redmayne and surprise guest Amy Loughren, the “real” Amy, participated in a Q&A. Redmayne complimented the movie’s writing, which follows an unexpected hero’s journey to accomplish something that the healthcare system didn’t. After all, it is the nurse Amy who stops Cullen’s murders through humanity and compassion. And yet, he said, “The film is about friendship.”

“Don’t choose the safe option,” said Redmayne. “Push yourself to the extremes. Never play it safe.”

Amy Loughren, who now lives in Florida with her children and grandchildren, described “The Good Nurse” as a testament to Redmayne’s art. Since the movie premiered in September, she has only watched the movie once because Redmayne plays the villain so well that she sees her friend Cullen there, not Redmayne. However, “The Good Nurse” also helped her forgive herself for not seeing the signs of Charlie’s evil sooner. She also said that watching Jessica Chastain play Amy in the movie was the disassociation she needed to know that she was a good mom. The movie turned her self-judgment into pride.

Redmayne rounded the Q&A up with advice for performing arts students at SCAD. He described his experience of visiting SCAD as invigorating, inspiring, and humbling. He advises performing arts students to play parts that make them leave their comfort zone because college is the time to take risks as an actor.

“Don’t choose the safe option,” said Redmayne. “Push yourself to the extremes. Never play it safe.”