Abhiroop Das
Co-created by Naomi Sheldon and Gabbie Asher, Prime Video’s psychological thriller, ‘The Girlfriend,’ unravels a triptych comprised of Laura Sanderson, her son, Daniel, and his girlfriend, Cherry Laine. Things start out well between the three of them, but Laura is hit with an unshakeable feeling of suspicion and paranoia, which sends her digging. The story employs a unique narrative structure to balance multiple perspectives at once, and we see Cherry seamlessly blending truth with lies to complete the show’s unique concoction of love, lust, and deceit. As both characters try to one-up each other, the dividing line between them begins to blur, and the consequences of their actions reach far beyond either of their intentions. In a story rife with family drama, forms of expression become a major subject, and Laura’s sexual orientation turns the tide of the story. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Laura’s Brief Affair With Lilith Confirms Her Bisexuality
The question of love and sexuality lies at the heart of ‘The Girlfriend,’ and while much of the narrative is about the tripartite struggle between Laura, Daniel, and Cherry, their personal lives are indispensable elements. In particular, Laura Sanderson’s sexual orientation directly interacts with the larger themes of the show, with her lingering feelings standing as both a springboard for and a hurdle to her character development. While she has a loving family with billionaire Daniel Sanderson, we eventually learn that she is bisexual and has an old flame in the form of Lilith, an artist. From the moment of her reintroduction into Laura’s life, their chemistry is palpable. From there, however, the dynamic goes through a series of highs and lows due to Laura’s conflicting feelings about her family and romantic life.
Cherry and Laura’s silent war eventually takes a toll on both of their lives, especially affecting their respective professions. As an art dealer, Laura’s work is dependent on public attention, but when things go wrong, an unfair dismissal campaign is launched against her. In the hopes of clearing her image, she rekindles her contact with Lilith, hoping that the artist collaborates with her for an exhibition. Lilith ultimately agrees, but also makes clear that she craves more out of their bond. The conversation then turns into a night of celebration, with both of them gradually leaning into their feelings for each other, before hooking up. Although there is a transactional element to their time together, it is still supported by a mutual attraction and desire for intimacy.
Laura’s Fight With Cherry Ends Up Consuming Her Relationships
While Laura has a passionate relationship with Lilith, it nonetheless becomes an obstacle in the functioning of her seemingly picture-perfect family. Notably, her marriage with Daniel was partially polyamorous at the start of the story, with the latter maintaining a relationship with a woman named Mary Anne. However, over time, both Laura and Daniel strayed away from that decision and returned to a monogamous relationship. To that end, her romantic stint with Lilith stands at odds with the very fabric of her married life. When Daniel comes to know the truth, he is enraged and soon decides to leave the house, leaving his wife in an even more difficult position than before. Although Laura’s bond with Daniel is built on layers of lies and facades, they both claim to have a deep love for each other. This is put to the test by a mix of both of their choices.
Things continue to get worse for Laura when Cherry makes the bold move of stepping into the art gallery and damaging all of Lilith’s paintings. After Laura finds out about the extent of the damage done, she immediately contacts Lilith in the hopes of explaining her plight, but the decision backfires. Instead of sympathizing with her, Lilith doubles down on the idea that the former’s clouded judgment is bringing harm to everyone around her. The lack of understanding on the artist’s end also leaves Laura heartbroken, bringing a bitter end to their dynamic and, along with it, all possibilities of a romantic relationship. As such, both of Laura’s relationships end in tragedy, with the character’s inability to resolve her tensions with Cherry coming to bite her.
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